I had an appointment with a new doctor last week. He seems like a great doctor and a good guy but I felt a bit unsure about him. Why? It was because of his weak handshake. When I was growing up, my father always told me how much he disliked anyone who had a limp handshake. Men with weak handshakes were less “manly”. Women with limp handshakes were “princesses”.

I was talking about the handshake thing today with my boyfriend. He feels the same way about the handshake and he thinks his feelings about it are a “blue collar” thing. I think it could also be generational. The idea of the handshake being cultural or socioeconomic is quite interesting to me. My father was a WWII vet. There are many things that he taught me that aren’t common ideas for people of my generation.

The bottom line is that you only have one chance to make a first impression. The way you shake someone’s hand will say a lot about you, whether you realize it or not.

I’m curious about your thoughts on the handshake. Please leave comments and let me know.