The Handshake as Non‐verbal Communication in Business

The first thing you do when you meet someone in a business context is to tell that person who you think you are, who you think they are,and what you think the nature of your relationship is going to be. Explores some of the issues which surround the handshake in a business setting and discusses some of the characteristics and meanings of handshakes, with special attention to gender and cultural differences. The argument is made that, if there is a problem in the workplace for uninitiated, untrained persons with handshaking, it would be worthwhile addressing communication skill in an educational setting.