Each culture has a different approach towards greeting people, but a handshake is the most commonly used worldwide. In the era of a pandemic, however, it is not as easy to refrain from certain habits, which may cause some uncomfortable situations. With this in mind, has a meaning of handshake changed?
The history and meaning of handshake
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ministries of health around the world recommend that people avoid welcome kisses and handshakes and keep their distance. Even though many nations are now planning to reduce and remove restrictions, many people are still uneasy about being physically close with other people.
It is not clear where exactly the handshaking tradition comes from, but one of the first records dates back to 900 BC. It was a business contract between the Assyrian king and the Babylonian ruler. In Greece, a handshake was a token of trust or a promise made.
American sociologist Peter Hall explains that the gesture of shaking hands was created for security reasons. Medieval English knights shook hands to show that they had no weapons in their sleeves.
There are many theories about the origins of a handshake, so it is not surprising that we are so used to this tradition that we feel uncomfortable when the handshake is no longer allowed.
The tradition around the world
Shaking hands is not ‘a go-to’ greeting everywhere in the world. In countries like France, people prefer a greeting with as many as four kisses on the cheek! Moreover, in some places in France, kissing a woman’s hand is still being used. Kissing a woman’s hand is no longer accepted in many countries. For example, in the United States, greeting a woman like this may even seem sexist.
In Muslim culture and most Asian countries, handshakes between people of different genders are replaced with a nod or a bow.
What mistakes to avoid when shaking hands?
- Don’t do a dead fish handshake! Always give your hand with confidence. Otherwise, you may be perceived as weak, insecure and without energy.
- Make sure your hands are not wet – imagine if someone was shaking your hand, but not only their hand was cold but also wet. Not a very pleasant feeling, is it?
- Give your hand evenly – horizontally. Try to show that you are on the same level as they are. Shaking hands from above can mean imposing your will and giving a hand from below as being compliant.
- Avoid shaking hands ‘the Trump way’ – no one likes to be pulled while being greeted. Such a shake does not put you in a good position, but rather shows you in the light of unnecessary self-exaltation.
Introduction guide – has the meaning of handshake changed?
Have you ever wondered who introduces whom when they first meet? As a rule, we do it intuitively, but are we keeping to the etiquette? Etiquette at the first meeting can affect the later relationship, so I have prepared some important tips for you below.
The key to introducing yourself is to show respect for the other person. According to a survey conducted in 2009, as many as 28% of respondents shared that arrogance and insolence are the biggest problems in business meetings. In addition, 21% of survey participants replied that they were irritated by a lack of respect.
How to introduce yourself?
In order not to offend the person you are going to meet, introduce yourself standing up. When your turn comes, clearly say your full name. Depending on who you’re meeting, their culture, and their preference, you might want to shake their hand. Be mindful and think about what the other person wants.
- In formal business situations, it is the host (usually the top executive of the company who planned the event) who greets and introduces you to other guests.
- If your company is the host of the event, and you are the highest-ranking company representative in the group, your task is to take over the host role and introduce the attendees.
- During informal meetings, the role of the host holds the person organizing the meeting.
- If you have joined an already formed group of people, it is you who should introduce yourself first.
Introduction and hierarchy
In the business setting, the order in which people introduce themselves is determined by their position in the company. Neither age nor gender matters in this case.
It is the lower rank person who should introduce themselves first. However, if you are introducing two people, remember to introduce the person with a lower rank first. This is especially important at meetings in Polish companies because they put more emphasis on the hierarchy, where British companies are more flexible.
In social life, you should introduce a man to a woman, and a younger person to an older person first. At the party, a single person should be introduced to the couple. However, sometimes it depends on the social or business position of the other person.
How to avoid a handshake when greeting people?
"I was at a meeting like this recently and said: I will not shake hands for obvious reasons... everyone smiled, and it was OK."
In times of pandemic and post-pandemic, there are several ways to avoid shaking hands:
- Elbow greeting – Instead of shaking hands, greet others elbow to elbow!
- Fist bump – Perhaps the most hygienic of greetings strategy, a study at Aberystwyth University has revealed. It carries 10 times fewer germs than a handshake.
- High five – carries 2 times fewer bacteria than a handshake.
- Wuhan Shake – is one of the most original and popular ways to greet. This is thanks to the video posted by the people of Wuhan, who greeted each other with… feet.
- Namaste – a hello from South Asia. Even the US president stated that “Namaste” was a good option to say hello, even to leaders of other countries.
Please keep in mind that greetings depend on the culture we grew up in (and now the health rules), and we need to think about how to greet the other person with respect, as greetings are not about us but the other people.
Which greetings do you use the most?
If the handshake is still relevant, what about business cards? For a few years, we’ve been mostly online, but does it mean that we no longer need a business card in face-to-face meetings? Check it out and decide for yourself.
