And there is also the fact of ifa person offers a handshake or not. This can tell you about their personality.

Kristina, good post. I hate the "Incredible Hulk" handshake personally.

Really informative post Kristina.  I think a good handshake is very important and like Charles said above, it does tell you a lot about a person's personality.  I think the handshake that bothers me the most is the sweaty palm handshake :-( 

Nice tips Kristina.  Oddly enough, I find that I am usually the one to extend my hand for a handshake when I meet people for my business, even when it's a man.  I have heard though that some people don't like to shake hands anymore for fear of germs.

Kristina- My pet peeve is when my honey and I are meeting another man, and the men shake hands and all I get is a smile. That always makes me put my hand out assertively, like I'm saying "don't you dare treat me like the little woman!"

I'm afraid I have a tendency to do the "extend-o-arm", but I am working on it. My least favorite is the Wimpy/Creepy!

Kristina, I love a firm hand shake that shows confidence but NOT bone crushing..  Elaine, how funny... Nice post - God bless,

I'm an incredible Hulk kind of Girl!  Learned that from my daddy- can't stand a wimpy shake from a man or a woman!

Charles:  I always feel a bit awkward when the handshake is missing... it seems to break the ice.

Duane:  My most painful hand crushing experience came from a petite lady - I never saw it coming!

Charlene:  I will need to add the "Sweaty Palm" handshake to a follow up blog.

Kathy:  I have never been refused a shake for the "germ reason."  There is always the Howie Mandel fist bump to fall back on.

Elaine:  I am surprised that any one would pass up the opportunity to shake your hand!

Cheryl:  Yes, a good balanced handshake is very satisfying.

Marci:  Thank you for the warning, should we ever meet in person!

A good question to pose is the "Goodbye" handshake.  Yea or Nay?  A nice goodbye or too much of a good thing?

A nice goodbye, coupled with "I really enjoyed meeting you".

I am like Marci-can't stand a Wimpy handshake.  On the other "hand", because of recent arthritis symptoms in my right hand, I wince at the Hulk handshake- so we need to keep that in mind when shaking hands with the "over 50" baby-boomers!

Elaine:  Let's keep them happy coming and going!

Kathy:  Great reminder that we need to adjust our handshake to accomodate the situation!

Thanks for stopping by!

Handshakes do say a lot about the extender and the receiver.  Wimpy hand shakes do affect my first impression of a person, so I always taught my students (7 & 8 year olds)  and my grandchildren how to give a proper handshake.  A man or woman with a wimpy, limpy, clammy handshakes ..yuck.  AND with arthritis, you can't tell by looking if a person is affected with this painful condition so just make it firm but NOT crushing....please. 

I also don't like the double hander most of the time.  I figure that if I know a person that well a hug is more comfortable than this hand shake.  Just a personal aside. 

Thanks Kristina. 

Good stuff... I think a good handshake is crucial, and needed more than ever in our business environment these days!

I don't like the wimpy, wet noodle from a womans or mans handshake.  Creeps me out!

Now I will have to practice hand shaking - I always get lost in the Hey-Yo version.

It's the nuances of communication that make the rapport and the sale.  Thanks for the reminder about the importance of the handshake in our dealings with prospective clients and others.

Funny you should post this.  Just yesterday I asked my husband to rate my handshake.  Thank goodness he told me it was just fine.  Earlier in the week I shook hands with a "wimpy/creepy" and a "double hander".  I also met a "left hander" - someone who reaches out their left hand instead of offering their right and offers a squeeze, not a shake.  It always feels so awkward.  Fun post!

I always offer an appropriately firm hand shake when first meeting clients and always extend it prior to leaving coupled with Goodbye...thank you for the opportunity...it was a pleasure to meet you...etc. 

GREAT POST!!!!

I have always felt like I make a cup hand when I shake, where your palm is curved causing your palm to not make contact with your fellow shaker.  So I made my husband and daughter practice with me for like 2 weeks until it felt right and natural.  I hate the limp shake and always try to be firm and have a flat palm!

Fun post!

I always offer a firm hand shake with eye contact and a smile!

I hate it when someone tries to shake my finger tips only!  EWWWW.  Let's add "Finger Tip" Handshake to the list. :)

Ginger:  Personally, I reserve the double hander for church and friends.

Cindy:  I could not write the wimpy handshake with out adding the creepy nuance.  In the business world, I want to be respected, so please give me a respectable handshake.

Kathleen:  The Hey-Yo is the most fun - if it doesn't last for over a minute and involve footwork!

Terrylynn:  I have been studying non-verbal communication, and it has helped me to know if a connection has been made with a client.

Lisa:  This blog originated from me describing to my daughters how I greet clients, and it just bloomed from there.  The only research that was done was my experience on the job.  A lefty?  We will call that one, the "Bob Dole."

Abby:  It is good to know that the "Goodbye" shake isn't too much!

Elle:  Practice makes perfect!  I have never experienced the "Cup" shake.  I can imagin that it may make a popping noise when contact is made.

Janice:  I would categorize the "Finger" shake under the "Wimpy/Creepy" category simply because of your response of "EWWWW!"

Maybe I have found a calling in analyzing handshakes.  I could go on tour as a public service speaker.

Thanks for commenting!  It has been great to read about other experiences!

I think we in the sales profession should learn this well. It does send a good/ bad message. I am also featuring this in the Best Business Practices group as well. Thanks for the reminder.

There is a certain amount of etiquette that has to be acknowledged among our colleagues and business contacts. Propriety is sometimes missing too often in the world of business. It goes a long way to developing the relationship and if it starts off on the wrong foot, because of a poorly executed hand shake, it is hard to change the perception that was created. One other thing, I was always tought the a gentleman should wait for the female to extend her hand first.....that seem old fashioned, but....well....what can I say, I am a southerner. Thanks Kristina

Loreena:  Thanks for the feature!

Bo:  Very well said!  I appreciate the southern gentleman aspect - a characteristic that I personally adore!