A handshake is one of those tiny social rituals that happens so quickly, most people barely think about it. You meet someone, extend your hand in greeting, anticipating their reciprocation, engage in the handshake, and then proceed on your way. But that’s not always the case.
A proper handshake can make someone feel welcomed and respected, while a bad one just feels awkward. When you realize that the person in front of you might as well be offering you a limp noodle to shake, it signifies that the interaction is over for them. First impressions are real, and a handshake is often a crucial part of that.
So, is your handshake style effectively impressing people, or does it come across as weak and disappointing? Let’s find out.
1. The Limp Noodle
This one can barely qualify as a handshake, if we’re being honest. The hand just sort of appears, flops into the other person’s hand, and contributes nothing to the moment. This super-weak handshake can make people think you’re unsure of yourself, uninterested, or uncomfortable. In most situations, a limp handshake can come across as lacking confidence or just being lazy. You don’t have to powergrip the other person’s hand like you’re about to shoulder throw them, but also don’t be like, “Here, hold this.”
2. The Crushing Claw
Going from one extreme to the other, we have the handshake that may very well crack your bones. The crushing claw, aka the bone crusher, is all about that firm grip and squeezing for too long. What was supposed to be a business meeting suddenly turned into an arm-wrestling tournament. And it’s not a good look. Some people probably do this because they want to seem confident, strong, or dominant. But instead, it often ends up being uncomfortable and quite painful for the other person. Again, there’s a beneficial middle ground. Try it.
3. Bop It, Twist It, Pull It, Bump It
There is a time and place for quirky, personalized handshakes, like with close friends, roommates, or close cousins, for example. But in a professional or formal setting, getting too fancy can backfire fast. Fist bumps, dramatic hand seals from Naruto, finger snaps, or anything that looks like it needs rehearsal can make the situation awkward. It may make you look unserious and immature. Next time, please take a moment to assess the atmosphere first. If it’s a casual, relaxed environment, a fist bump might be totally fine. However, it’s important to maintain a professional demeanor during a job interview.
4. The Neverending Shake
This type of handshake starts off normal: a firm grip, solid eye contact, and maybe a slight head nod or a smile while you’re at it. And then you keep shaking and shaning and shaking. The only thoughts going through your mind are, “Is this hell? Am I stuck like this forever? Surely, this person will let go of my hand at any moment, right?” It feels intense, awkward, and a little bit needy. To avoid such situations, stick to the two-second rule. Nobody needs an extended director’s cut when it comes to handshakes.
5. The Fast One
On the other side of the timing problem, we have the quick one, also known as a rusher. The rusher barely makes contact and pulls away like they just touched something gross. A rushed handshake can make the other person feel dismissed. It gives the impression that you’re distracted, uninterested, or already looking for the nearest exit. Usually, first impressions are important, so take half a second longer. Give the person your attention. A handshake is small, but it still counts as part of the conversation.
6. The Look-Away
The art of a good handshake not only includes how hard or long you should hold someone’s hand, but also what the rest of your body is doing. If you are staring at the floor or scrolling through your phone while attempting to give a proper handshake, others will notice. Sometimes they’ll think you’re shy or nervous, but other times, such behavior may come off as suspicious or rude. Of course, there’s a delicate balance between scanning your surroundings like a psycho and performing a Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin impression, staring into the other person’s eyes. Just act normal, smile a little, and everything will work out.
7. The Perfect Handshake
So with all that said, is there such a thing as a “perfect handshake”? There is, and, thankfully, it’s not that complicated. Watch your posture, face the person, make eye contact, but don’t be a creep, smile, and offer your right hand. Use a firm grip, give it a few natural shakes, and let go after about 2 seconds.
The ideal handshake doesn’t need to be memorable. It just needs to feel like you’re confident, respectful, and relaxed. You’ll still need to ace the interview, obviously, but that’s a good start!
