Originally Posted by GuitarBizarre

I'm with this. I feel as though a handshake says a great deal, when combined with other 'first meeting' gestures. Someone who offers me a weak handshake but a very positive greeting for example, I get the impression they're semi-submissive or unsure.

On the other hand, the ex army folk handshake I mentioned before usually is far firmer than I consider is appropriate for a first meeting, so I generally take away the impression that the person is attempting to appear dominant.

I've yet to be tremendously far off base.