Shaking Hands

[poliphilo]

A political candidate came canvasing last night. He stood on the doorstep smiling nervously and shook my hand three or four separate times in the course of a minute. His grip was very loose and limp.

I was discussing this with Judy. She shook hands with President Bill Clinton once and was surprised how hot and damp and flabby he was. She admires Clinton and thinks his hand may have been hurting from over-use but I'm not convinced.

None of us knows what its like to be on the receiving end of our handshake- which makes it very hard for us to control the message it sends.  Is a handshake a reliable indication of a person's character?  I have to say- fair or unfair- I take it as such. 

Comments

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

We don't know - but we can find out - oh those endless rehearsals -
"Firmer!" "Gentler!" "Keep your gloves on, please!"

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I suppose a good handshake can be learned.

I was never taught that I can remember.

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

I remember being told that the main thing is to make eye contact at the same time.

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

Really? We were taught the opposite - that the contact and tone of voice matters much more - especially after the tenth shake - that no-one can keep up a consistent eye contact or facial expression-

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

On reflection, perhaps the advice depends whether you're the presented or the presentee -

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Tenth shake? Five is the absolute maximum, surely. I would feel very uncomfortable with a handshake that lasted more than four seconds or so. On the other hand, I can't remember who told me that thing about eyes - I don't think it was my parents.

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

I meant tenth person!

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Ah, that makes sense! I suppose I'm just never in a situation where I have to shake more than one or two people's hands at a time.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'll go with that. I met Ailz's first husband recently. We shook hands but he wouldn't look me in the eye. It felt very odd.