Image Courtesy of Fotolia
Handshaking – The Ultimate Greeting
An effective handshake involved projecting the right facial expression, giving the appropriate hand shake and a sincere greeting.
- A good, well-timed handshake with your smile is a sure way to stand out, whether you’re at the company picnic or an industry conference.
- Here’s how important it is: A prospective employee/business owner with the best handshake is more likely to get the job/contract, research shows.
- Even if you’re not a job-seeker, or entrepreneur a good handshake will grant you instant rapport when meeting someone new. With that in mind, here’s a refresher course on the business protocol of the perfect handshake:
- A handshake is a part of many social interactions. It’s a way to introduce one’s self, offer congratulations and even a way to conclude a business deal. A handshake is a gesture of goodwill.
The Three Step Process to Handshake:
- Step 1: Facial Expression
- Step 2: Shake hands
- Step 3. Greet the person
Be Friendly
You should always be ready to initiate a handshake, demonstrating your eagerness to meet the person. Although etiquette rules once dictated that a man should wait for a woman to offer her hand, that’s no longer the case.
- Focus on the person you’re shaking hands with.
- Look directly into the person’s eyes during the handshake.The right hand should always be free.
- Keep your grip firm and assertive but not too tight. General rule of thumb: Grasp as tightly as the other person does.The left hand should hold only one item.
- Two-handed handshakes are a sign of real affection, avoid them when meeting new people.
- Extend your hand with the thumb up and fingers out.
- Don’t extend your hand with the thumb down and fingers curled.
- Connect web to web.
- Shake from the elbow, not the wrist or shoulder
- Two smooth pumps.
- Shoulder to shoulder stance.
Handshaking faux pas:
- No eye contact/ no smiles
- A limp handshake
- An overpowering handshake
- A handshake without a greeting
Tips to remember:
- Be ready to shake hands, regardless of your gender or the other person’s. He or she will remember that you extended your hand first.
Show Respect
- Make sure you’re standing when you shake hello or goodbye. It shows respect for yourself and the other person.
Be Direct
- Look the other person in the eye. Don’t allow the handshake to linger too long, but you can show an extra bit of sincerity by holding their hand a second longer after the last pump.
Always shake hands:
- When introduced to a person and when you say good-bye.
- When someone comes into your home or office to visit you.
- When you meet someone outside your business or office.
- When you enter a room, are greeted by those you know, and are introduced to those you don’t know.
- When you leave a gathering attended by friends and business associates.
- When you are congratulating someone who has won an award or given a speech.
- With those nearest you, your host, and with whomever you meet as you move around the room.
- When you are consoling someone.
- When entering a room those closet to the entrance.
Grace and Charm Insight: In the USA, in the business arena, gender doesn’t play a role. A man or women may offer his or her hand first. In European countries, the woman offers her hand first, business or social.
