Hand Shake

[wxman1]

I swear it's a requirement for farming to have giant hands. My father in-law has giant hands. I'm not small size but it is difficult to even shake his hands. Pretty sure he would crush some without even trying.

I completely agree. My grandpa had bear paws. We got engaged a year or so after he passed away and I was given one of his wedding rings (I forget the story but I think this was his original one and he stopped wearing it due to wear and tear as a farmer and I think it not fitting anymore. Then when my mom got married my grandma made him get another one). When we took it in to get resized back down to my city boy finger the jeweler was astonished at the size of it.

 

[1100011CS]

There's also the "too strong" handshake that indicates that they know about the handshake thing, but overdo it.

I bet a couple posters above are this guy. Handshakes and neckties... what's the purpose?

 

[ca4cy]

 

[Trice]

I'm always fascinated by people who treat handshakes as some kind of window into a person's soul. They turn it into a proxy for another person's entire worth. Strong handshakes project confidence! Weak handshakes mean you aren't strong!

Sometimes people are just...bad at handshakes and first impressions. Conversely, many of the people who project the most confidence are both the least confident and least competent.

 

[SCyclone]

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I have arthritis, and when I meet some guy who wants to impress me with how badly he can crush my hand, it's very painful. I'm wondering if there is some sort of etiquette to avoid this, short of admitting what a pu$$y I am.

 

[3TrueFans]

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I have arthritis, and when I meet some guy who wants to impress me with how badly he can crush my hand, it's very painful. I'm wondering if there is some sort of etiquette to avoid this, short of admitting what a pu$$y I am.

Just don't reach out to shake, stare directly into his soul to assert dominance instead.

 

[TXCyclones]

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I have arthritis, and when I meet some guy who wants to impress me with how badly he can crush my hand, it's very painful. I'm wondering if there is some sort of etiquette to avoid this, short of admitting what a pu$$y I am.

Offer the fist-bump first. I have a friend with the same issue. When the other guy reaches out his hand my buddy actually pulls his hand back and says confidently, "I've got arthritis in my hand", and throws up the fist.

 

[jbindm]

I swear it's a requirement for farming to have giant hands. My father in-law has giant hands. I'm not small size but it is difficult to even shake his hands. Pretty sure he would crush some without even trying.

Same for carpenters and contractors. My father in law has absurdly giant hands.

I wish we could get beyond handshakes as a proper form of greeting. So many germs.

 

[CycloneErik]

Just don't reach out to shake, stare directly into his soul to assert dominance instead.

Or a quick kick below the belt. Hard for the other dude to assert dominance from a fetal position.

 

[BCClone]

Know some guys that think it’s almost like intercourse. Think it’s the highlight of meetings my people. I avoid when I can, I just don’t get the jollys from it. Especially not knowing what that hand did before I touched it.

 

[3TrueFans]

Or a quick kick below the belt. Hard for the other dude to assert dominance from a fetal position.

That is true, a good shot to the plums solves many problems.

 

[ImJustKCClone]

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I have arthritis, and when I meet some guy who wants to impress me with how badly he can crush my hand, it's very painful. I'm wondering if there is some sort of etiquette to avoid this, short of admitting what a pu$$y I am.

Same issue, and it's worst in the CMC joint in my thumbs. When I shake hands, I keep my thumb and index finger firmly together and form a "V" between the index finger and middle finger so that the other person's hand goes between them. It makes it harder for them to grip extra firm, and it protects my CMC from getting painfully crushed with even a light grip.
All things considered, I prefer to hug!

 

[Clonefan32]

There's also the "too strong" handshake that indicates that they know about the handshake thing, but overdo it.

That's what I see alot of anymore. The word is out that strong handshakes show confidence. So now everyone handshake I have anymore turns into a game of "mercy".

 

[CycloneErik]

That is true, a good shot to the plums solves many problems.

Add just the right words after the kick, and they'll never challenge again.

 

[1100011CS]

Same issue, and it's worst in the CMC joint in my thumbs. When I shake hands, I keep my thumb and index finger firmly together and form a "V" between the index finger and middle finger so that the other person's hand goes between them. It makes it harder for them to grip extra firm, and it protects my CMC from getting painfully crushed with even a light grip.
All things considered, I prefer to hug!

You should just go with this:

 

[ImJustKCClone]

You should just go with this:

I have to admit, sometimes I get funny looks...and a few people have actually grabbed my hand with their other hand to force "proper" placement. That's when I scream in pain and yank my hand back.

 

[runbikeswim]

My feeling is I don't like if I notice the handshake either too strong or too soft. I actually hate the guys that think they show their alpha in a handshake the most. It just makes me think they are a douche.

 

[Acylum]

fist pump only

Hmm I’ve done my fair share of fist bumps, but maybe I’ve been doing it all wrong.

The "fist pump" sounds more intimate, and possibly messy.

 

[Cyclone.TV]

The "fist pump" sounds more intimate, and possibly messy.

Been greeting people like this all morning.

 

[Bipolarcy]

I notice it. Stronger handshakes are done usually by confident people whereas weak handshakes are done by less confident people.

If I'm shaking a girl's hand I'm not as strong with it but a guy I do it as a form of respect. A person with a weak handshake tells me they aren't as interested to meet me.

I'm bad at reading body language but that's how I see it.

What if a guy with a weak handshake is confident he's going to catch a bug from you by shaking your hand?