Handshaking
This custom has not been around that long – only a hundred years or so. The Romans use a basic form of this – a lower arm grasp. This was used really to check for hidden weapons. We associate shaking hands as a symbol of greeting and openness. Men on average exert twice as much power in handshaking as women do. Fathers tend to teach their sons handshaking when they are small. This is less likely to happen with daughters. So when women shake hands they tend to be more awkward with it.
Dominant Handshakes
Here one person takes control - their shaking hand palm faces down. Women do not think of dominant handshakes as being of any significance. They even like to use it as a sign of submissiveness and feminity. Obviously this is not desirable in a business situation. Studies show that women who are more receptive to new ideas tend to have firmer handshakes – THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO MEN. Extroverts tend to have firmer handshakes.
Submissive Handshakes
The palm faces up in the shake. Its like the dog offering its throat in submission. It will make the other person feel in control – thus very useful in an apology type situation.
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