Hands Shake!!

Over the many centuries of human existence, many social customs have emerged out of both necessity and leisure. The handshake is one custom that encompasses both of those origins. The handshake may appear little more than a formality to some, but to others it is a complete view into the personality of the person on the other end of the handshake. The handshake has also created nations and bought homesteads. However, in all cases it still requires two people to be executed correctly, thus causing an interaction to take place. Today I am going to discuss about the various types of handshakes.

Types of Handshakes:

1. The Bone Crusher: The sole purpose of this type of handshake is to cause you pain. The kind of handshake exchanged by Manchester United and Liverpool captains before the match begins.

2. The Politician: Using both hands to grasp the other persons hand for handshake. The tube well hand shake.

3. The never let go:

The type of handshake where one person forgets the fact that he/she is holding onto the hand of the other person. They consider 'your' hand to be 'their' property.

4. The dominating type: The type of handshake which Hrithik Roshan used in the movie “Kaho Na Pyar He”. Indicates that the person intends to dominate you. Statutory warning for guys, never try this type of handshake with your girlfriend. You will be rejected in the blink of an eye. On a serious note the best way to deal with someone who tries this type of handshake is to take their hand and then gently turning it and make it straight. This will let the other person know that you both are in the same level.

5. The touch me not: The type of handshake where one person is dead against touching the other person’s hand. It is as if the handshake has been forced upon him/her.

My fellow Toastmasters, why is the handshake so important in the business world? Why are most meetings between diplomats ended with a handshake? Why do secret orders, fraternities, and sororities include handshakes among their secret rituals? The handshake represents an expression of equality.

Take, for example, the meeting of diplomats to discuss a peace initiative for two warring countries. With the handshake giving a sense of equality to the meeting, the playing field is levelled and the proceedings can occur, unhindered by feelings of inequality.

A person would be foolish to overlook the importance of the handshake. So, to all those business students, professors, and anyone else interested in the importance of the handshake, remember that you are being judged on your handshake whether consciously or subconsciously, so make it count. There is a lot to be learned through paying a little more attention every time you shake hands. Remember this the next time you shake a hand and pay attention, it means more than you think. As a popular bollywood movie song states:

"Mere haat mein, tera haat he..
Saari jannat-e mere saath he!"