What does a handshake mean in different cultures?

For instance in some countries and cultures, firm handshakes are seen as rude and a sign of aggression. In places such as China; the Middle East; North, Southern and West Africa; and South America, handshakes are usually lighter and last much longer than in Western countries.

What culture is it considered rude to shake hands?

Handshakes

In some Asian countries, a hard handshake is considered rude. In Vietnam, you should only shake hands with someone who's your equal in age or rank. In Thailand, instead of shaking hands, you're more likely to bow with your hands together and up to your chest.

What do handshakes symbolize?

The handshake is commonly done upon meeting, greeting, parting, offering congratulations, expressing gratitude, or as a public sign of completing a business or diplomatic agreement. In sports or other competitive activities, it is also done as a sign of good sportsmanship.

Is a handshake a cultural norm?

For many of us, handshakes are the only way we know to greet someone. It is taught and reinforced time and again. Handshakes, therefore, are a cultural norm and tradition. Their perfunctory nature for many North Americans is so ingrained that we rarely give it a second thought.

Why do Europeans shake hands?

Some say that the shaking gesture of the handshake started in Medieval Europe. Knights would shake the hand of others in an attempt to shake loose any hidden weapons. While handshaking is still the most ubiquitous greeting around the world, it may be losing ground in the US.

American Hand Gestures in Different Cultures - 7 Ways to Get Yourself in Trouble Abroad

In which country is it unacceptable to shake hands?

THAILAND

Stop–don't shake hands! The person will offer what's called a “wai,” placing their palms together at chest level and bowing. Return the gesture, then say hello: If you're a man, greet them with “Sawadee-krap.” If you're a woman, say “Sawadee-kah.” Only shake hands if a wai is not offered.

Why don t Middle East people shake hands?

In one of his latest Qtips, Al Haroon explained that in Arab culture, the right hand is reserved for eating meals and greeting people. This follows in the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, who favored his right hand for such actions.

What countries kiss on the lips as a greeting?

First things first, while many Anglo-Saxons believe that kissing as a greeting is unique to France, the practice is common in a wide range of European and Latin countries, as well as Russia and certain Arabic and sub-Saharan nations. Its origin is unknown, though there are many theories.

Why is it rude to shake with your left hand?

Shaking hands, pretty much anywhere

In fact, colloquially across the United States, the term “left-handed handshake” is considered an insult and refers to insincere promises. Sources: Emily Post Etiquette: “Passing Food at the Table”

What does a handshake say about a person?

Those with a firm handshake were more extraverted and open to experience and less neurotic and shy than those with a less firm or limp handshake. The researchers say these results demonstrate that personality traits, assessed through the self-report, can predict specific behaviors assessed by trained observers.

Do Chinese shake hands?

Meeting and Greeting

Chinese may nod or bow instead of shaking hands, although shaking hands has become increasingly common. When introduced to a Chinese group, they may greet you with applause.

What is the origin of the handshake?

This custom started in medieval times. The world was an unsavory place back then, and people often concealed weapons in their hands. The handshake was a way of affirming that neither you nor the person you were greeting was carrying anything intended to harm. Over time, it evolved into a polite greeting.

Why do Japanese not shake hands?

Where you come from it may be a sign of friendliness and a positive attitude but in Japan, it's aggressive. When the Japanese shake hands they do it with a certain softness. This can be interpreted by foreigners as 'weak' and demonstrative of something being held back, or that things aren't quite right.

What does shaking hands mean in Japan?

Meeting and Greeting

A handshake is appropriate upon meeting. The Japanese handshake is limp and with little or no eye contact. Some Japanese bow and shake hands. The bow is a highly regarded greeting to show respect and is appreciated by the Japanese. A slight bow to show courtesy is acceptable.

Do Japanese ever shake hands?

Most Japanese do not expect foreigners to know proper bowing rules, and a nod of the head is usually sufficient. Shaking hands is uncommon, but exceptions are made, especially in international business situations.

In which country kiss is not allowed?

The Middle East and India are two parts of the world where you'll encounter the strictest public display of affection laws. Kissing in public is illegal in Dubai, and couples have been arrested for excessive PDA in Egypt.

What cultures do not kiss?

Kissing isn't universally accepted and, even today, there are some cultures that have no place for it. Indeed, some 650m people—or about 10% of the world—don't partake at all. Until contact with the West, for example, kissing wasn't practiced among Somalis, the Lepcha people of Sikkim or Bolivia's indigenous Sirionó.

What does it mean when a girl kisses your neck while hugging?

Not to be confused with a hickey, a neck kiss is more of a peck than a deep kiss. This is a playful kiss meant to let your partner know how much you care for them.

What religion does not shake hands?

Alhajeh, the labor court said in a statement, “adheres to an interpretation of Islam that prohibits handshaking with the opposite sex unless it is a close member of the family.” The court concluded that “the woman's refusal to shake hands with people of the opposite sex is a religious manifestation that is protected ...

What is disrespectful in Arab culture?

In many Arab, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist countries, showing the soles of your feet is a sign of disrespect, as they're considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body, since they touch the dirty ground. Men should cross their legs with caution.

Why do Arabs touch their heart?

Instead, the soldiers have adopted a vital ritual of everyday life in Iraq: Arabs place their hand on their heart after a handshake to convey sincerity and respect, to show that the greeting comes from the heart. The hand-on-the-heart gesture has become second nature to many U.S. troops in Iraq.

Do Russian shake hands?

Shaking Hands, Russian Style

Russians believe that shaking hands or greeting each other over the threshold is bad luck. Also, upon entering you'll be asked to remove your shoes and put on some house slippers -- that's just good manners.

Is shaking hands appropriate in Latin America?

Shaking hands is not appropriate for a business setting in Latin America. Spaniards greet with one kiss on the right cheek. In México, people greet with an “air kiss.” In Peru, a man and a woman meeting for the first time would probably greet each other with an “air kiss.”

Is the handshake universal?

Handshaking is common but not universal. In some cultures, especially around the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, a hug, an air kiss, or an abrazo, are favored over a handshake, especially among good friends.