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Originally Posted by nonsubmissivewife
See, this seems really odd to me. My parents actually taught me that when your in a situation where you're meeting someone new, especially someone older, you should shake their hand. ...
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I only meant that my parents never sat me down and said, "Look. Ya gotta shake people's hands, especially in business situations." Similar to Freebase and Janszoon, I just observed what people do, understood why they do it, and copied them in offering my hand to people I meet, especially since I enjoy it. Shaking hands feels assertive, open, and friendly to me.
I do feel shaking hands is a sign of respect, so I might be more likely to shake an older person's hand than a younger person's...not because I respect them differently but because I think the older person might miss a handshake more. I like shaking kids' hands when I meet children. I guess I'm passing on the custom...plus I like to show them respect.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freebase Dali
As far as friends are concerned, it really would depend on how long it has been since I've seen them and how close we are. For best male friends I haven't seen in a long time, it defaults to the standard half-shake/thumb-lock thing with a possible shoulder-bump and inclusion of a back pat a few times. For female friends, it's always a hug.
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Standard thumb-lock?? Shoulder-bump?
I knew of no such standard shake/bump greeting method. I can see I've been missing out! You make it sound like thumb wrestling.
Quote:
Originally Posted by right-track
Vegan. A true lady would offer the gentleman the back of her hand with her palm facing down and would not request a handshake, but instead would expect a light kiss. Failing that...a swift punch to the shoulder will suffice.
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Ha! I don't buy that true lady business. Those hand-kisses went out of style over a century ago. You can't be THAT old.
Can you?
I am reminded, though, of how the older generation of male relatives on my mother's side, upon greeting female relatives, would greet not just by giving a cheek kiss, which I might have expected, but by actually giving a light kiss on the lips! I got surprised by that a couple times before I took evasive, cheek-turning action. It must be a generational thing. It felt much too personal to me.