Anyone Find Handshakes Awkward

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StriderShinryu

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I actually quite like handshakes. For me it only gets iffy in two situations:

1.) The person you're shaking with tries to turn a standard shake into some silly "secret" handshake BS in an attempt to look cool. (Note to people who do that: No, it never looks cool)

2.) The shake you receive is much much weaker than you anticipate. To me, it's always been a nice firm handshake amongst gents, with something gentler towards a lady with a slight variance depending on context (in a proper business or work meeting, I generally expect firmer shakes even with ladies). When you're meeting another guy for the first time, though, and you receive a really flimsy weak grip it just makes the whole thing feel wrong. Remember, it's easy to adjust to a slightly firmer grip if required, but you can't really easily adjust to a less firm grip.
 

Clive Howlitzer

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I don't mind REGULAR handshakes. However when people try and do weird gangsta handshakes to me, it just weirds me out. I don't know what the hell I am supposed to do. I am as white as they come!
 

Jodah

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lunncal said:
I find them awkward because of the interview advice I've been given about 10 times at various points throughout high-school and college. I always wonder if my handshake is too firm, or not firm enough, or lasts too long, or not long enough, etc, etc. It makes me think anyone who shakes my hand is silently analysing it and judging me.

(By the way, what the hell is "Firm but not too firm", exactly? You can't get any more vague than that.)
I always took it to mean a good squeeze but don't drive them to their knees. I often get told I have a "good handshake" and I hold back most of the time. However, my cousin and I tend to get into "who will flinch first" matches when we shake hands. Its usually whoever gets bored first because we are about equal in strength.
 

duchaked

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Dec 25, 2008
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it's a little awkward sometimes when I can't guess immediately the KIND of handshake a person is coming in for

just a regular one or that more stylish one...augh
 

Mr Thin

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Nah, handshakes are a great way to comfortably introduce yourself.

I mean, my hands are so cold, thin and skeletal that whenever someone shakes them my knuckles poke their hand, so it probably freaks them out, but that's just me. For people with normal hands it's great.
 

WolfThomas

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Dec 21, 2007
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Not really they're pretty straight forward, just remember you don't off to shake a womans hand, she must offer her hand first.
 

mexicola

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No I don't fine them awkward, they come quite naturally I think. At least to me, people around where I live use handshakes all the time so maybe because I have lots of practice? I don't know I never thought of them being something special.

Well, unless the recipient takes a few seconds to respond and you are left with your hand in the air sweating before he notices it.

Also a great insult if you don't respond so that's fun too!
 

Vault101

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Sep 26, 2010
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they are only awkward if you dont demonstrate a firm grip (that said dont crush their hand eathe, thats probably worse)
 

BringBackBuck

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lunncal said:
I find them awkward because of the interview advice I've been given about 10 times at various points throughout high-school and college. I always wonder if my handshake is too firm, or not firm enough, or lasts too long, or not long enough, etc, etc. It makes me think anyone who shakes my hand is silently analysing it and judging me.

(By the way, what the hell is "Firm but not too firm", exactly? You can't get any more vague than that.)
Yes, yes they are judging you. Particularly in an interview situation

too firm? not a problem. My advice is man up with the strongest handshake you can muster without looking like you are trying (ie: no grimacing, sweating or grunting). Good firm grip with one good squeeze and let it go. Should take no more than a couple of seconds.

There is no worse way to start off a job interview than with a weak handshake, the interviewer will assume you are weak, lack self confidence and you are on the back foot immediately. Generally an interview will end with a handshake too, so if you spend the whole interview making up for a poor handshake, and the final impression you leave is a clammy limp wristed kipper of a handshake - that is what they will remember.

Or maybe that's just me. I have done maybe 60-70 interviews over the last couple of years and I will just about write an interviewee off if they have a weak handshake.
 

azukar

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Sep 7, 2009
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I find people with bad handshakes awkward. I even make sure my students do it properly.
 

DarkRyter

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Dec 15, 2008
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I use handshakes to ease tension when introducing myself.

I like to think it shows the other person I'm polite, and I feel more comfortable with the situation as a whole.
 

Gudrests

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lunncal said:
I find them awkward because of the interview advice I've been given about 10 times at various points throughout high-school and college. I always wonder if my handshake is too firm, or not firm enough, or lasts too long, or not long enough, etc, etc. It makes me think anyone who shakes my hand is silently analysing it and judging me.

(By the way, what the hell is "Firm but not too firm", exactly? You can't get any more vague than that.)
This is the first thing they teach the president when he becomes president (I am withholding opinions about Obama bowing down to other leaders....) see that skin in between the thumb and pointer finger. thoes meet. Firm grasp past the knuckles so you are shaking the hand and not the fingers. Ya know how if someone grabs your hand early they can fuck with your knuckles and it hurts...you do it right and that does not happen. Do not let the hand be shooken by the other person, you both shake at he same time. You know when you do it right.
 

IkeGreil29

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Jul 25, 2010
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Well, I guess it depends where you're from. Over here, we greet very openly and so I never feel uncomfortable with any type of greeting.
 

The Lost Big Boss

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Not really. It's only awkward to me if they don't give a strong handshake. I have always given a strong handshake to everyone. Ever sense I was a little kid I gave strong handshakes to show respect to people, so I find it odd that people would ever give limp ones.
 

Dags90

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Oct 27, 2009
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IkeGreil29 said:
Well, I guess it depends where you're from. Over here, we greet very openly and so I never feel uncomfortable with any type of greeting.
You've obviously never hugged someone like me. It's all bones. Whenever I hug someone I'm always thinking "Can they feel how skinny I am? Am I poking into them with my bony elbows?" It's very nerve wracking.

STOP JUDGING ME WITH YOUR JUDGING EYEBROWS!
 

Nouw

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Mar 18, 2009
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I love handshakes. If they're a friend, I'll pull them and slap their back.
 

manic_depressive13

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JochemDude said:
No, their bloody handy that's what they are, you can tell a lot about someone by how they shake your hand.
Yeah, like how warm, cold or sweaty they are.

I really don't like handshakes. I feel like I'm being judged and, oddly enough, I never know where the hell to look. People tend to stare right at you when they shake your hand, but eye contact makes me uncomfortable, so I tend to look past them or stare at their lapel or some shit. I just really suck at anything social.