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Shake My Hand

Have you ever thought about how your handshake sends a message? I was watching Arsenio Hall and he introduced a video about handshakes that was interesting. I learned the importance of a proper handshake. The first description of handshaking can be found in Egyptian records which date to 2800 B.C. Since then, the handshake has been overwhelmingly consistent and constant. We know that the handshake during Roman and Medieval times included an arm clasp, which was a method for inspecting each other’s arms for hidden weapons. Since it is a thousands-of-years-old practice that had survival consequences, it has a huge subconscious presence. In other words, as much as we would like to trivialize the meaning of a handshake, it just won’t cooperate.

Since men have historically been the fighters and weapon carriers, the handshake has been primarily a man-thing. That started to change as women gained more power and equality and became as untrustworthy as weapon-bearing men had been in the past. Excerpt from Sterling Manners, Dr. Sterling

In traditional social etiquette, when two people meet, the person with the higher rank gets to choose whether or not to shake hands. Judith Martin, in Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior, writes that “the higher-ranking person-socially this means women before men, except in the case of presidents, kings, or popes, and the greater age and more exalted positions before the younger and less significant-either sticks out a hand or doesn’t.” The lower-ranking person shouldn’t be the one to initiate the handshake. But if that should happen, Miss Manners says to go ahead and shake anyway. “The worst error is to pass by a hand that has been extended, however erroneously.”

As sung to the music of “Great Balls of Fire”
by Jerry Lee Lewis
You pull my fingers and you twiddle my thumbs.
This is not the handshake that I dream of.
Your hesitation shakes my nerves and rattles my brain.
Too much discomfort drives this woman insane.
Goodness gracious, what days of progress?

I’m just a woman trying to get a handshake.
It shouldn’t be so hard to get a fair shake.
You’ve had some years to adjust.
Don’t let our meeting be just about my bust.
Goodness gracious, what days of progress?

This is no time for an etiquette debate.
The opinions are in, no need to hesitate.
Get a grip, don’t be a drip.
Give a good shake, give a damn.
Goodness gracious, great days of power sharing!

November 19th, 2008 Posted by karen in A Bit of Everything |

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2 Responses to “ Shake My Hand ”

  1. # 1 nedekcir Says:
    November 19th, 2008 at 9:57 pm

    Did you say Arsenio Hall? I didn’t that he still have a show, but then again I haven’t watch TV in ahh…exactly…lol. Anyway, I have an award for you here. Have a great week.

    nedekcir’s last blog post..Lemonade Award

  2. # 2 karen Says:
    November 19th, 2008 at 10:49 pm

    Yes, Arsenio Hall. He was hosting a funny video show. I didn’t catch the name of it. Heading over to see what you are awarding me! I hope it isn’t for worse driver or something. LOL

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