Why Do People Shake Hands?

People shake hands for many reasons. They shake hands when they meet someone for the first time, or to greet someone that they have not seen for a while. Sometimes people shake hands as they leave a party or gathering. When people agree on a plan or a contract together, they may shake hands to “seal the deal.” In each case, a handshake is used as a friendly gesture.

People who study history believe that people began using handshakes several hundred years ago in England. During that time, adults sometimes carried weapons. Men would sometimes hide weapons up their left sleeve. Extending the left arm, and shaking the hand of another person, was a gesture to show that neither person was hiding a weapon. Later, when carrying a weapon was not common anymore, handshakes switched to the right hand. It’s likely that handshaking, with such a long history, will probably be a gesture that people will use for many years to come.

How to Shake Hands

As children grow, they learn about shaking hands. This is important, because adults often shake hands when they meet someone, or to say “hello.” Adults shake hands more often than children. Once in a while, though, children are expected to shake hands. This gives children practice with shaking hands, so they know how to do it before they become adults.

Here five steps on how to shake hand:

1. Reach forward with you right arm, right hand open.
2. Grasp the other person’s hand.
3. Keeping the grasp, move your hand up and down.
4. Open your right hand.
5. Return your arm to your side.

Not very often, but once in a while, one person reaches forward to shake hands and the other person keeps their arm at their side. This may feel a little awkward. If this happens, it’s okay to lower your arm without shaking the other person’s hand.

Knowing how to shake hands with other people is important. Shaking hands with another person is likely to become easier with practice.