I judge people by their handshake. They better give me a solid firm handshake or they are wasting my time.

Handshakes originated to present swordhand to swordhand without a weapon, to show that men were on the same side and in agreement. A certain firmness was required. Todays handshake is not between warriors, but for business should still be firm. Between a man and a woman or between women, that firmness isn't formally required. And, of course, social handshakes can be anything from fistbumps or high-5s to elaborate choreography.

My immediate reaction when somebody (always a male) gives me a super-firm handshake is that he is probably a macho jerk who needs to discharge some testosterone and stop trying to prove how manly he is by crushing somebody's hand. It's something he can work on right after he finishes annoying everybody in a parking lot by clogging up a lane while parking his gigantic pickup truck in reverse.

I read this as "milkshakes", my answer of kinda firm still stands.

mncowboy96 wrote:I judge people by their handshake. They better give me a solid firm handshake or they are wasting my time.

In my industry a firm handshake indicates a lack of respect. The message is "I will hurt you given the chance." A "light and loose" handshake says, "I'm a professional. I'll do my best to make sure no harm comes to you." This is important in a business where carelessness and aggressive attitudes can get people paralyzed, even killed.

I absolutely HATE when I shake someone's hand and they give me a dead fish! I don't want to have hand crushing contest, but I like a good, solid handshake. Limp hands are a no go.

I don't generally shake hands with people. Mostly just to see how they react and the look on their face when they stick out their hand and I leave them hanging. It's kinda fun.

deadeye37 wrote:I absolutely HATE when I shake someone's hand and they give me a dead fish! I don't want to have hand crushing contest, but I like a good, solid handshake. Limp hands are a no go.

Spot on! When someone gives me a "limp fish" handshake am then expecting them to then go hug a tree. You want someone who you can stand side by side and face any challenge, not someone hiding under the desk waiting for help!

NO. DEAD. FISH. Grip my hand and show me you're a man. Not talking audible bone cracking but give it a good squeeze.

sparklecoogs wrote:My immediate reaction when somebody (always a male) gives me a super-firm handshake is that he is probably a macho jerk who needs to discharge some testosterone and stop trying to prove how manly he is by crushing somebody's hand. It's something he can work on right after he finishes annoying everybody in a parking lot by clogging up a lane while parking his gigantic pickup truck in reverse.

Yep! If I ever come across a dude with a Kung Fu grip, I tell em' "I see you're not in your usual Green skin today!"

... Obama clearly disagrees with this entire poll, and feels that the Fistbump is superior to your stiff and impersonal handshakes.

As a female, it's actually fun and interesting when people want to shake my hand. I'm not a tiny thing (in height, build or weight). People are unsure of how to approach a handshake with a woman like me. Sometimes I get a bone crushing handshake as if they are challenging me to a contest to the death. Other times people want to offer a gentle fingertip shake in return to my handshake.

Personally, I'll take a hearty "glad to see ya but I don't have anything to prove to you" handshake!

Psycho vise-grip. Just to let the average stranger know that you're dangerous. And crazy.

Moueska wrote:

Fistbump

Not only the fistbump the exploding Fistbump

I had a guy give me a a very limp quarter-hand hand shake. It was the most disgusting thing I have ever witnessed. He has now become my arch nemesis. The only thing more disrespectful is when you put out your hand and the handshake nevercomes.

Here is a handshake fail though,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKvLomILvVI