Tip 156) Perfect your Handshake!

When I was about 10 years old, I was lucky enough to have a handshaking lesson. I kid you not! I have no idea why, but I can remember my dad, who was self-employed, showing me how to greet someone correctly, something I have been very grateful for many, many times since.

It's a fact that most people do not know how to shake hands properly. It's either the alpha male (or female) bone-crushing handshake or what is typically called the limp fish handshake. The latter is far more common than the former, believe me - I have experienced a LOT of limp fish handshakes over the last 40 years, and I have to say, like many, rightly or wrongly, I do make an instant judgement about that person.

A weak handshake screams I'm not confident.  Unfortunately, many men don’t know how to shake a woman's hand, and many women don't know how to shake the hand of either a man or a woman. This is a sad but true fact. 

So here is Handshake 101: How to shake hands properly.

• Look the person in the eye, smile with your mouth and your eyes, grasp their hand confidently and firmly, and say 'It's great/good/nice to meet you'. Give it a couple of warm, subtle 'shakes' and let go. And don't wipe your hand on your trousers however sweaty their hand is! 

You're welcome :-)

Jo x