H A N D S H A K E S

WHY IS IT MORE THAN A GREETING?     

I remember my anger when I applied to an upstate New York VA hospital as a locum tenant physician and the chief of medicine refused to shake my extended hand. I was very upset and angry. I almost walked out of the interview. Then I wondered why he would do that to me? Why did the avoidance of a simple handshake upset me so much? I couldn’t help but immediately ask him why he refused to shake my hand. He replied, ”I am so sorry, I have developed this phobia of germs, I can’t shake anyone’s hand anymore.”

This event kindled my curiosity about handshakes. I wanted to know, read and think more about handshakes.

Germ-phobia is a rather common occurrence. It is scientifically proven that handshakes could transfer 80% of germs (like bacteria, virus, scabies) from one person to the other. That is why these days, many people prefer high fives or fist bumps instead of handshakes.

It is believed from archeological ruins and ancient texts that handshakes originated in Greece, in 5thcentury BC as a peace gesture among fighting tribes. It demonstrated that hands hold no weapons and shaking hands would loosen any daggers hiding in their sleeves. Since the right hand is a fighting hand that is why handshakes should be done with the right hand. From this starting point, handshakes became a universal greeting gesture.

I have my own theory on handshakes. As I See It, I believe handshakes are Darwinian evolutionary behaviors originated from our animal ancestry.  As we all know, animals always touch one another by their sensitive noses to sniff and smell in order to recognize each other, to know where they belong and their social status. Handshakes serve the same purpose in humans. Even today, in some human cultures (such as Tuvalu Greenland, rural Mongolia), a quick sniff is a part of traditional greeting.

In the Turkish culture I grew up with, a handshake alone is not enough, and it is considered a very formal greeting. A handshake is almost always combined with hugging and kissing both cheeks. And, hand kissing is a common way to greed elder relatives and teachers. After kissing the hand, the greeter draws the hand to his/her forehead to show gratitude and respect. To me, all of these greeting rituals promote closeness and bring a person close to the vicinity of the nose for a sniff and smell.

In some other cultures, head bowing replaces handshakes. Head bowing also bring the nose closer to the person for a sniff.

With the Darwinian evolution, over astronomical period of time, the creation and appearance of Homo Sapiens (wise men) on earth, with larger brain volume and capacity, recognizing one another by smell was no longer necessary. But the handshake ritual remained and gained more meaning and depth with cultural, social, religious and mindful additions. Even social etiquette for a proper handshakes has been written: 

1.    Only bare the right hand, with a good posture, slightly bowed head, smile and eye contact, should be extended for handshake

2.    Hand grip should not be too tight or too loose

3.    Shaking of the hands should not be more than two or three times.

4.    Holding hands has different meanings than handshakes.

The purpose of handshakes is to convey honesty, trust, friendship and goodwill. Handshakes are commonly done upon meeting, greeting, parting, congratulating and completing  a deal or agreement.

Now a day, handshakes have become an important social ritual and cultural habit that deeply influenceour lives and our decision making.