Handshaking as a form of greeting has been around in some form as long as humans have existed. The warm, reassuring, tactile touch that we as social animals share is essential for social interaction, social harmony, health, survival, and security, as well as for communicating our true feelings. Somewhere along the line each culture developed different greetings to communicate how we feel about others—from facial rubbing, to kissing, to hugging, to arm clasping, to the handshake in its many forms.
[h=3]Handshake Culture[/h]
Handshaking is common but not universal. In some cultures, especially around the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, a hug, an air kiss, or an abrazo, are favored over a handshake, especially among good friends. In other cultures, especially in Asia, a short bow is the more polite greeting, and in the Middle East the woman’s hand is not touched at all unless it is offered by her—even in business settings. In some cultures within cultures, such as in the sporting world, greetings have evolved from the traditional handshake to high-fives to fist bumping. Each society and each culture sets the norm, which can change over time, and yet, if any of these is not performed correctly, it leaves negative impressions.
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