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You are here: Home / Solutions to world problems / Is social media meddling with the fine art of handshaking?

Is social media meddling with the fine art of handshaking?

January 24, 2014 by Mona Andrei 5 Comments

photo credit: Richard.Asia via photopin cc
photo credit: Richard.Asia via photopin cc


This post is sponsored by Rocket Sport.

Happy Day to you, awesome readers!

A few weeks ago I was introduced to someone for the first time. As is customary when you meet someone new – or so I thought – I extended my hand in greeting. A little caught off guard, said new acquaintance (we’ll call him “John”) shuffled his iPhone and notebook from hand to hand so that he could return the gesture. He was surprised and awkward.

I’m about to share my first impression of this man with you. As I smiled and said “nice to meet you”, three words impulsively dominated my thoughts:

What. A. Weeny.

Now if you know me in real life, you know that I’m a fan of “live and let live”. Don’t judge me and I won’t judge you.

(The only time I really judge a stranger is when I hear about something stupid they’ve done. Like Justin Bieber’s recent DUI incident. Dumb ass.)

Why did “John” strike me as a weeny?

Because instead of a handshake, I got a floppy, dead fish. I blame social media.

Now before you Tweet your disagreement with me, hear me out.

No one can deny that because of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn, we now have more people on our contact lists than any other generation. Using myself as an example, I have some clients that although I’ve been working with them for several years, we’ve never actually met in person.

So, yes. I’m the first to admit that social media is great. And if I was ever abandoned on a deserted island like Tom Hanks in the movie “Cast Away”, adopting a volleyball and naming him Wilson would not keep me sane. Reaching out to “friends” and “contacts” whenever I want has become as much a part of my daily life as coffee and brushing my teeth.

Yet the fact that the good old-fashioned handshake is becoming a lost art – replaced by Facebook updates and virtual introductions through LinkedIn – is just sad.

And so I’ve decided to take it upon myself to give the following short course in how to give a proper handshake.

There’s a little multi-tasking involved so I’ve broken it down into steps.

5 Steps to the perfect handshake

PS. After a few times of sincere handshaking, you’ll see that giving the perfect handshake is like driving a car and talking on your bluetooth at the same time.

Step 1. Look the person in the eyes as you extend your right hand.

Step 2. Smile.

Step 3. Firmly grip your new acquaintance’s hand – NOT as though you’re helping a small child cross the street and NOT as though you’re challenging them to a fight in the parking lot. The grip should be both firm and gentle.

Step 4. Shake hands once or twice in an up and down motion. (But no more than twice. More than that is just creepy.)

Step 5. Let go. And DO NOT wipe your hand on your clothes.

Glossary of Handshakes gone wrong and what it says about the person

Grip too strong – This person is sooooo insecure.
Grip too flimsy – Ah. No backbone.
The barely-touching handshake – Hmmmm afraid of their own shadow?
Too touchy-feely – Ewwwww!

What about you? Have you had a handshaking experience that made you cringe or question a person’s movites?

This Moxie-Dude.com post is sponsored by Rocket Sport. Follow @RocketDryer on Twitter during his trip to Sochi!

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Filed Under: Solutions to world problems, Sponsored Post, Writing

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim says

    January 25, 2014 at 12:47 am

    I can’t stand the “fish” handshake – especially from a guy!!

    Reply
    • Mona Andrei says

      January 25, 2014 at 4:51 am

      Yup, I agree. The “fish” handshake is a total breaker for me.

      Reply
  2. Michelle says

    January 27, 2014 at 8:32 pm

    I’m with Kim…the fish handshake…ugh!

    Reply
    • Mona Andrei says

      January 27, 2014 at 8:48 pm

      So glad there are others out there who get creeped out by the fish handshake!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. I have a good memory. No wait! Those are post-it notes. I have post-it notes. — Moxie-Dude says:
    February 9, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    […] Is social media meddling with the fine art of handshaking? – Why yes. Yes it is! […]

    Reply

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