Q&A for How to Shake Hands

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Do you initiate a handshake?

Sheila A. Anderson
Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
Sheila A. Anderson is a Certified Image Consultant, International Branding Icon, and the Founder of Image Power Play, an impression management and personal branding company. With over three decades of experience, she specializes in empowering corporate professionals to raise their personal image to meet the value of their brand. Sheila is a Certified Image Consultant with The Image Resource Network and a Certified Universal Style Consultant with The Universal Style International. Sheila is a member of the C-Suite Network Advisors and the author of the book, I.C.U., The Comprehensive Guide to Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand.

Sheila A. Anderson

Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon

Expert Answer

You can initiate a handshake if you're in a neutral setting. However, you should wait for the other person to extend their hand if they have higher authority than you or if you're visiting their office or turf.

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Question

How do I make my handshake not awkward?

Sheila A. Anderson
Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
Sheila A. Anderson is a Certified Image Consultant, International Branding Icon, and the Founder of Image Power Play, an impression management and personal branding company. With over three decades of experience, she specializes in empowering corporate professionals to raise their personal image to meet the value of their brand. Sheila is a Certified Image Consultant with The Image Resource Network and a Certified Universal Style Consultant with The Universal Style International. Sheila is a member of the C-Suite Network Advisors and the author of the book, I.C.U., The Comprehensive Guide to Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand.

Sheila A. Anderson

Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon

Expert Answer

Stand about 3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m) away from the other person and offer your right hand. Hold the person's hand vertically from palm to palm, and apply the same amount of pressure that they do.

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Question

How long should a hand shake be?

Sheila A. Anderson
Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
Sheila A. Anderson is a Certified Image Consultant, International Branding Icon, and the Founder of Image Power Play, an impression management and personal branding company. With over three decades of experience, she specializes in empowering corporate professionals to raise their personal image to meet the value of their brand. Sheila is a Certified Image Consultant with The Image Resource Network and a Certified Universal Style Consultant with The Universal Style International. Sheila is a member of the C-Suite Network Advisors and the author of the book, I.C.U., The Comprehensive Guide to Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand.

Sheila A. Anderson

Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon

Expert Answer

A handshake shouldn't be longer than a few seconds. Just grip and pump the other person's hand about 3 times, and then let go.

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Question

When receiving a diploma how do you shake hands with the Dean/President/person handing you your diploma?

Community Answer

Hold your diploma close to your body with your left hand and extend your right hand to the Dean/President. Use a gentle grip - they will be shaking a lot of hands that day.

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Question

What is the distance I should shake the other person hand?

Community Answer

Stand near them, like you would in a conversation. Don't stand right in front of the person, and don't stand too far away.

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Question

Am I supposed to shake hands with my left or right hand?

Community Answer

You should shake hands with your right hand.

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Question

No. 45 shakes hands with his hand on top, then pulls the other person toward him. What does this signify?

Community Answer

He is trying to be dominant, as he always does, because he is insecure and it makes him feel more powerful and better about himself.

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Question

How shaky should my hand be?

Community Answer

Not too much. A handshake should be firm, yet gentle.

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Question

Should a woman extend her hand first to a man?

Community Answer

There isn't really an accepted standard in most modern countries. Whoever reaches the individual first can extend their hand.

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Question

Is it proper to shake the same person's hand multiple times in the same day? If so, what should be the maximum?

Cowboy 4 Jesus

Community Answer

Probably just twice, once when you meet them and once when they leave. If you see them continually throughout the day, let them initiate the shake.

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Question

How do I assign priority when shaking hands? Do I shake a woman or man's hand first? Boss or employee?

Community Answer

Shake the higher ranking person first in a formal setting. If you meet a new person, shake their hand before other people's. Shake the hand of the person who greets you first if you are in a group with friends. In general, you should feel who you should greet first, and if you don't greet in order of priority (listed above).

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