KINESICS - Handshakes

KINESICS - Handshakes

Shaking hands is a relic from the old caveman age. Whenever they came out of their cave and saw others, they shook their hands to let the other persons know that they are not carrying arms. Over time, this got modified into a handshake that involves interlocking and shaking of palms. Internationally, this has become a popular way of greeting on meeting and once again, when departing excepting some older civilizations as in India where „namaskar‟ is still popular.

There are several types of handshakes:

(a) Normal (Equal) handshake with thumbs pointing sideways
It indicates a good grip with a good degree of professionalism in approach. It reflects equality in attitude and behavior. All managers and leaders must learn how to do handshake professionally.
(b) Handshake with your thumb on top of the other person‟s hand
It suggests you are in control of the situation
(c) Handshake with another person‟s thumb on top of your hand
It means that the other person is in control
(d) Handshake with the person offering a hand with open palm pointing downwards
It suggests that the person is presenting a dominant handshake. To counter it, the other party should catch the hand from the top and shake it. With this, the other party becomes the dominant partner!
(e) If offered a dominant handshake, step forward with left foot
When the second party steps forward on the left foot, it allows him to strengthen the handshake position. The second party can even turn other people ‟s hand into a submissive position.
(f) Handshake with right foot forward
Most persons are right footed and they move forward to the right to shake hands. It enables the person to step into the other person‟s intimate zone and brings the handshake to a vertical position for equal exchange
(g) Knuckle grinding (tight) handshake
It is a tight handshake and indicates a rough and tough guy. It should be avoided in social interactions.
(h) Dead-fish handshake
It is an uninviting handshake – the hands are cold, sweating and lifeless. Such persons are weak and socially not groomed. It gives one the feeling of dampness and being uncomfortable. Many persons using this handshake are not aware of it. They should ask their friends before deciding which one to adopt as a habit.
(i) Fingertip-grab (limp) handshake
The other person mistakenly grabs the tips of the fingers. It indicates a diffident person, not groomed socially. If intentional, a person has a weak personality and wants to keep the other person at arm‟s length.
(j) Informal handshakes
This happens among friends. A preliminary to this handshake is the banging of hands midair before doing an informal handshake.
Another version of it is that the handshake begins with the index fingers, moves on to the little fingers and then to the thumbs, before interlocking in to a warm handshake.