Is it acceptable for a woman to shake a man's hand if she doesn't know him too well?

Question

I was invited to a party by a male acquaintance who I didn't know too well. Before I left, I shook his hand.

Maybe I should've rephrased this to ask if the woman or man should make the first move or initiate the ending of the meeting -- wether it's for social or business reasons.

Answer 1

Yes, it is normal to shake a man's hand and you can be the first one to initiate it. Actually, it shows you have high self esteem.

Answer 2

Hand shaking isn't gender particular. women and adult adult males human beings shakes palms in employer settings in spite of the two occasion's gender. It does not make you manly, or any much less womanly, to shake palms. there's somewhat-undemanding rule of etiquette that stipulates that that's as much as a woman's discretion if she desires to shake palms; she could prefer to achieve this or not, and the guy could desire to attend until she extends her hand until offering his. maximum human beings are not attentive to this previous college rule, so do not assume all and sundry to be attentive to it. in case you realyl do in comparison to shaking palms, basically smile and nod your head (or possibly a small cursty/bow).

Answer 3

Is this a trick question? If you had said ...is it acceptable for a woman to kiss a man if she doesn't know him too well?....one might give a totally different answer.

Shaking a man or woman's hand is a greeting between strangers so of course it's acceptable.

Answer 4

uh...yeah. otherwise i really screwed up when i shook the hand of my new boss when i met him for my job interview. Why on earth wouldn't it be? I could see hugging a guy you don't know very well as being unacceptable, but shaking hands is just a part of meeting and greeting anyone.

Answer 5

Of course. What else are you going to do? Kiss him on the cheek?

You shake someone's hand when you are being introduced to them, unless its a party atmosphere.

EDIT: Should a man or woman initiate? Come on, girl, unless you're still wearing petticoats and corsets, are you serious??

Answer 6

Well shaking hands is the standard physical contact between new acquaintances. So it was acceptable. Its polite and professional, so don't feel bad.

Answer 7

generally, at least in the past, the woman should offer her hand first

however, these days in business setting at least, i think it would be acceptable for a man to offer...there are just positions and situations where colleagues would shake hands, male or female

if you offered your hand to him after the party, that's perfectly ok...i offered to shake hands with my now-husband when we said goodnight the night we met, cuz i could see he was too shy...i even offered to give HIM my phone # cuz i could see he was too shy to ask -- and besides, i wanted him to call me!! ;-)

'rules' we once lived by do not necessarily apply anymore; most have undergone changes to fit our changing societies

Answer 8

People usually do shake hands when they first meet, even women. I've shaken hands with more people I don't know than with people I do.

Answer 9

Of course. And in a business situation, not shaking could ruin her reputation!

Answer 10

yes, of course. what if you were introduced to a man you were to busness with? wouldn't you offer your hand as a sign of hello and respect? this is the 21st century. not the 18th.