Handshakes are a very important part of first impressions. The handshake is not only a greeting, but also an evaluation. Many people judge others on their handshake alone. Your handshake is often the first impression someone has of you, whether it’s in a job interview, business meeting or even just going to meet a family member for the first time. In this blog I will tell you how to give a firm handshake and why it matters so much.
The first thing we need to do is make sure that you are doing it correctly. This includes: right hand only, good eye contact and smile, firm grip and shake once or twice with vertical up and down movements.
Step one: Right hand only! Do not extend both hands or switch to the left while shaking someone else’s right; this is considered very rude in most social situations and business settings as well. If you’re left handed, then hold out your right anyway because most people expect it from others who know better than themselves what’s appropriate behavior when greeting someone new.
Step two: Make good eye contact with them while smiling at them before extending your hand towards theirs (this shows confidence). Step three: Give them a firm grip (don’t squeeze too hard), shake once or twice vertically up/down
A firm handshake is important. It shows you are confident and can get the job done. Read this blog to learn why and how to give a firm handshake.
Handshakes are very important in many business situations and other social occasions where an introduction is required. A firm handshake can make a good first impression and help you feel more confident when you meet new people.
Handshakes can also be used as a way to show support for someone; for example, after a game or sporting event, players from both teams will often line up and shake hands with each other. This shows good sportsmanship and respect for their competitors.
If you do not normally shake hands very often, it might take some practice before you master the skill of giving a good firm handshake. The following tips will help guide you through the process:
A great handshake is important. It is the first impression you can make on someone, and it is the lasting impression of who you are and what you stand for. A firm handshake shows confidence in yourself and your abilities.
Knowing how to give a firm handshake well is an art that can be mastered with a little practice and some knowledge about handshakes in general. By understanding the basic concepts of handshaking and what makes a good handshake, you will be able to confidently approach people with a firm handshake of your own.
What Makes a Firm Handshake?
A firm handshake has two main components: pressure and duration. The pressure that you use to shake a person’s hand should be just under the threshold of pain. This means that while they should feel your strength, they shouldn’t feel like their hand is being crushed.
A good handshake is like a firm smile. You can learn how to give one that suits your style and personality. A strong handshake is important in this world of hyper-communication, as it shows a level of confidence that people will notice.
The perfect handshake is firm, but not bone-crushing; brief, but not limp; and leaves the other person feeling good about you.
Practice makes perfect, so start with family and friends who will give you constructive criticism. Then practice on strangers at stores, coffee shops or banks.
Here are some tips:
Start with eye contact.
Face your target squarely and look directly into his or her eyes as you extend your hand. Keep smiling! Extend your hand fully.
A full handshake requires a 90-degree angle at the elbow (a right angle). That’s hard to judge for yourself, so ask someone to check it for you. Make sure your hand isn’t limp or twisted off to the side when you reach out to shake hands with someone else. Firmness is important – don’t crush their fingers! Gripping firmly shows confidence and enthusiasm. Be brief when shaking hands.
Don’t hold on too long; three seconds is enough time to shake hands with most people. Take two purses
When you first meet someone, one of the first things you do is shake hands. Handshakes are an important part of meeting new people. When done right, it can leave a lasting impression on the person you are meeting. So, how do you give the perfect handshake?
The perfect handshake is a firm one. By firm, I mean that your hand should be pressing into the webbing between their thumb and pointer finger with steady pressure. A weak handshake is where you just have your fingers loosely wrapped around their hand or where they go limp after a few seconds of shaking.
Another technique to keep in mind is to use your left hand to wrap around the person’s arm as your shake their hand. This shows that you are interested in them and want to connect with them on a deeper level than just an acquaintance or business partner.
Make sure that you smile when giving a handshake!
Give a firm handshake.
The handshake is a mark of respect and solidarity that is practiced the world over. It signifies the end of the initial meeting, when both parties have met each other’s gaze and exchanged hellos. It also signifies that you are pleased to be in the presence of another person—a sign of confidence and self-assuredness, or at least the appearance of confidence and self-assuredness. The handshake should always be initiated by the one who arrives first, who extends his hand toward his counterpart first, as he says something simple like “Nice to meet you.” The other person then takes the lead of the other person’s hand in his own, with two hands if necessary, to give it a vigorous shake up and down once or twice. At no time should there be an aggressive squeeze or an overly passive grasp; the ideal handshake is firm but not tight.
“A limp hand communicates weakness,” explains career expert Barbara Pachter in her book New Rules @ Work. “A bone crusher communicates hostility.” If you’re not sure whether or not your grip is appropriate, ask someone you trust for feedback—the right kind of person should be able to tell you whether your grip feels too limp or tight without hurting your feelings.
The first time I shook hands with a girl was the day I turned ten. It was at my tenth birthday party, and I remember it being a somewhat awkward experience, not because of the handshake itself, but because of what came before and after.
I had only recently learned how to shake hands. My father had been practicing with me for several weeks in advance, but when the moment arrived, and I began to shake her hand, she took hold of mine with both of her hands. As soon as this happened, my father’s voice rang clear in my ear: “Never let anyone take your hand in both of theirs. This is a sign of weakness!”
So I immediately pulled away from her grasp; unfortunately, she did not understand what was happening and held on more tightly. When I finally managed to pull away, she looked at me with tears in her eyes.
I felt awful. I knew that what I had done was wrong, but didn’t know why or how to make things right again. It took me nearly a year to work up the courage to try another handshake with a girl.