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

[chochiyo-sama.livejournal.com]

I hate it when people think they have to crush your hand to shake it. To me, it is an attempt to exert dominance and intimidate. My father used to shake hands that way, and before he released my hand he'd roll my knuckles a few times which was very painful.

My handshake isn't weak or limp but it is gentle.