Nelly Favis-Villafuerte In many countries today, the handshake takes precedence over any other greeting. Handshake is being widely used around the world, not only as a form of greeting but on other occasions as well – like in expressing gratitude, in extending congratulations, as a parting gesture, as a sign of good sportsmanship and even in concluding an agreement. The handshake is initiated when two hands touch immediately. A handshake is made using bare hands and not while wearing gloves. In traditional American etiquette, good behavior requires a man to remove his right glove to shake hands with a lady.However, ushers at a wedding keep their gloves on. Here are some interesting information about handshakes:

• Do you know that in the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest handshake, shaking hands for nine and a half hours is the record that remains to be broken;
• Do you know that Atlantic City New Jersey Mayor Joseph Lazarow in a 1977 publicity stunt, shook more than 11,000 hands in a single day – breaking the earlier record held by US President Theodore Roosevelt who had a record-breaking 8,513 handshakes at a White House reception on January 1, 1907;
• Do you know that the pressure applied in shaking a hand varies with the particular culture. For example, in North America, a firm hand shake is appropriate;
• Do you know that handshaking is an ancient ritual and since the right hand is considered the weapon hand, having it open and without a sword came to be seen as a gesture of peace and acceptance;
• Do you know that archaeological ruins and ancient readings show that handshaking was practised as far back as the second century BC;
• Do you know that there are studies and researches to suggest that the handshake may have been introduced in the Western World by Sir Walter Raleigh while serving in the British Court during the 16th century;
• Do you know that there is a type of handshaker known as Knuckle Cruncher who intends to convey warmth through a tight grip of one’s hand but in so doing he causes pain to the other person;
• Do you know that there is a so-called “limp fish” or “dead fish” handshake described as a “too weak a handshake” in contrast to the handshake of the Knuckle Cruncher. If handshake tells a bit about the personality of a person, then the limp fish or the dead fish handshake is a sign of the weak personality of the handshaker;
• Do you know that the boy and girl scouts use a left handshake, as a tradition instituted by Lord Baden-Powell;
• Do you know that there are many cultures that consider inappropriate, if not insulting for somebody to reject a handshake without good reason (such as an injured right hand);
• Do you know that among Arabic-speaking people, handshakes accompanied with the salutation As-Salamu Alaykum (peace be upon you) are an old tradition; and
• Do you know that in the business world today, either women or men may initiate the handshake?

A good handshake is a mirror of our charm and self-confidence. We should develop our handshake as part of our body language and an integral part of our lifestyle. Have a joyful day! (For comments/reactions please send to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: [email protected])