Something I have noticed far too often when meeting new people is the absence of a good handshake.

Be it simply the reluctance or refusal to offer a handshake or a limp-handed excuse for one, I have noted the number of successful handshakes I engage in dwindling startlingly.

I find this concerning not only because it can come off as rude, but because it can affect other people’s opinions of that person.

While many would consider a firm handshake to be good manners, it is not only a matter of courtesy.

A handshake can serve as an excellent first impression maker.

This can be either a gift or a curse when meeting people in everyday life, in job interviews, in relationships, or many other areas.

A handshake is not only a fleeting chance to create a good first impression, it is also a great way to establish a connection with someone one has never met before.

It has been said that potential employers often form impressions of interviewees within the first few minutes of an interview, regardless of how long it lasts.

In these cases, a handshake can be an important indicator of confidence and poise. It can also convey a sense of camaraderie and easygoingness.

A common misconception is the idea that handshaking is an exclusively male custom.

Not only is handshaking devoid of gender exclusivity, it is an excellent way to establish oneself as an equal without giving a harsh or defensive impression.

That said, it is important to execute a handshake properly.

A handshake should be firm but not bone-crushing, and it should nearly always be executed with the right hand.

The hands should meet at the web of skin between the thumb and forefinger, with the fingers fully grasping the other person’s palm.

It is important to smile warmly, however holding the smile too long can be seen as overeagerness or nervousness.

One should also make certain to keep the hand perpendicular to the floor rather than tilting it up or down.

A hand extended palm down can be subliminally interpreted as an attempt to establish dominance, while a hand extended palm up could be construed as submissiveness.

If germs are a concern, one can carry sanitizer or cleansing wipes on their person.

A blatant refusal to shake hands can be off-putting not only because it can be perceived as rude, but because it can be considered insulting to the offerer.

The physical act of shaking someone’s hand creates a tangible action representing the new connection between the two people who are meeting.

If that action registers psychologically as a pleasant one, then those people are more likely to associate pleasant feelings with that person.

Thus, if a handshake is a pleasant experience for both parties, the relationship between the two is much more likely to be fulfilling.

Mercury Bowen is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].