Different Types of Handshakes #FreeStudentArticles

Different Types of Handshakes

Every gesture we make, it tells something or the other about our personality. A handshake is also one of these gestures that depict your personality and attitude. Thus, it is important for our personality development that we should choose the right kind of hand shake. There are many opinions on what a hand shake can tell you about someone.

Some people are of the opinion that handshakes are done only the way we learn it and thus they do not give the true picture of the personality of a person. But then, if this is so, then why do we learn about the body language?

The point here is that handshakes do help in knowing the characteristics of a person.

Handshake forms the most important part of greeting a new person. People can judge a lot from handshakes. A handshake conveys power, confidence and professionalism. This little gesture provides major clues that can help you to identify the person whom you are communicating with. If you are unable to perform a perfect handshake, it may create undesirable impressions on the other person. Thus, it is very necessary to put the best hand forward and follow the etiquette of handshaking to be in the good books of the other person.

Here are some basic types of handshakes understanding which will help you to depict a good personality to others:

The Standard Hand Shake

In this, hands are engaged and people maintain eye contact, exchange smiles and shake hands two to four times.

Palm Up

This type of hand shake means I am here to serve you.

Palm Down

This type of hand shake is an authoritative one. It shows an authoritative, superior or controlling personality of the person. It says that you are there to take the lead, to take care of things, to get the job done.

Arrogant Shake

It is made intentionally to demoralize your sense of security. In this the person offers a flat hand with the palm facing down to indicate that he is the boss. The best way to answer such a hand shake is by giving a hand with palm facing upwards.

Hand in Hand

The greeter will offer a hand with the palm facing up and before you both start shaking your hands, he would sandwich your hand with his other hand.

This is sometimes done to show care or concern or familiarity or to empathize for the loss of a closed one. If this type of hand shake is done even when the two of you are not good friends, then this is a form of false sincerity.

Palm Vertical

The person extends his hand forward with his palm exactly vertical to the ground. It sends a message of equality and greetings.

Finger Vice

When somebody grabs just your fingers and not the entire hand it means he wants to maintain a distance. These people are often insecure.

Bone-Crushing Shake

A person making a hard, stiff handshake pretends to break your fingers and tries to prove that he is stronger than you and wants to control you. The message of squeezing your hand clearly indicates that the person is trying to intimidate you. People who make such a handshake are confident, but they also have a tinge of aggressiveness in them. So just remember that while facing such people, smile broadly and offer a firm-handed shake.

Condolence Handshake

The person will pretend to be too familiar to you by clasping your right hand or arm with an attempt to hug you. This behavior may be accepted during a funeral, but it comes out as a inappropriate act otherwise.

Using Good Form

Raise your hand and extend until webs of both hands meet. Grasp across the palm wrapping fingers around the opposite side from the thumb.

Hold firmly.

Shake a few times or for about three or four seconds.

If your hands are full then give a polite nod rather than dropping everything. If the other persons hands are full, be understanding and don't offer a hand shake. Your gesture would be appreciated.

If wearing gloves, remove them.

Maintain eye contact while engaging in yourself in a handshake. This will surely communicate self confidence and sincerity.

The pressure applied in a handshake is relative to the culture you are in. For example, in North America, a firm hand shake is appropriate. Making it stronger or weaker than a basic firm grasp will only leave a negative impression.

Choose the most appropriate handshake and remember these tips to prove your good personality. Help yourself in personality development.


Source: Anurag Aggarwal