2007-06-06 04:38:24 · 19 answers · asked by Lunar_Chick 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
You know why?
In the olden days it was to show that both people were unarmed.
(Most people are right handed and if they had a weapon they would wield it in that hand).
2007-06-06 04:40:33 · answer #1 · answered by Egyptian 2 · 6⤊ 3⤋
Scouts specifically use a left handshake. Since the right hand is more commonly dominant, the left hand would typically be used in holding a shield; by shaking with the left hand, one is defenseless while trusting the other person who may still be holding a weapon in the right hand.
The handshake is initiated when the two hands touch, immediately. It is commonly done upon meeting, greeting, parting, offering congratulations, or completing an agreement. Its purpose is to convey trust, balance, and equality.[1] Handshakes possibly originated as a gesture showing that the hand holds no weapon.
2007-06-06 05:48:55 · answer #2 · answered by Terri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Historically, the left hand is associated with evil. Left-handed people have often been forced to write with their right hands, until quite recently.
This may be unrelated, but in India I know it's considered an insult to hand someone something with your left hand.
2007-06-06 07:39:02 · answer #3 · answered by Minty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As everyone has already said, it's to show you are unarmed.
Most people are right handed, and would wield their sword (or other weapon) in their right hand (it's also why swords are often carried on the left side - to make drawing your weapon easier), so to offer your dominant hand is a way of saying "I come in peace," if you will.
2007-06-06 05:06:32 · answer #4 · answered by sylvia 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is an interesting article about handshaking on the BBC website - http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A20363267
it gives the reason that Scouts shake left hands rather than right - because that means you have laid down your shield and trust the other person so much that you have no need to defend yourself
2007-06-07 02:19:52 · answer #5 · answered by lukee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I remember reading something about this a while ago. The right side is considered the 'clean-side' according to all the godly types a while back, while the left was 'unclean' so that hand was used to wipe the bottom and other dirty jobs.
2007-06-06 04:44:01 · answer #6 · answered by *~Ally~* 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The left hand hand was always considered to be evil.
2007-06-06 04:54:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Back then people that were in the dessert didn't have toilet paper, so you can guess what the left hand was for, they then used the right hand but if you used the left it was a sign of disrespect
2007-06-06 04:42:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
To show that you've no evil intent.......you're not holding a weapon. The vast majority of people are right-handed.
2007-06-06 04:42:41 · answer #9 · answered by Pit Bull 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
raah raah girl is bang on-particularly Muslim countries-put it to the test and offer one your hand-but wipe your a r s e with your left hand and no paper b4 doing it and don't wash it-they probably won't notice anyway!!
2007-06-06 07:41:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's the hand warriors held their sword in. It shows they are unarmed and friendly.
2007-06-06 04:43:01 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋