ON SHAKING HANDS

STUDY MATERIAL ON SHAKING HANDS- An Essay By A.G.Gardiner

πŸ“š ON  SHAKING HANDS πŸ“š

- A.G.Gardiner

Gardiner is of the view that hands shake is the most innocent and amiable custom of greeting. he gives a delightful account of the western practice of shaking hands. He compares this custom of greeting with those of other cultures, and debates that handshake is the best.

He mentions few of the examples of salutation worldwide. In India we pay ‘Namaskar’ while the Japanese ‘kowtow’. Such examples can easily be multiplied.

We have the theme of civility, conflict, change, perception and choice in this essay.

A handshake is a type of greeting that involves grasping hands followed by a brief up and down movement. Handshakes are used as both a greeting and parting gesture throughout the world.

Handshakes can be a valuable communication tool for making a first impression. A lot can be learnt about a person by the way he holds and shakes the others’ hands.  The hand shake should be firm yet friendly.

The essayist talks about the western practice of shaking hands.  To him shaking hands is an age old practice in the west.  But of late this facing criticism on hygienic grounds.   He compares this with other types of greetings and customs prevalent in different countries.

He comments on the popular custom of shaking hands. There are different customs of greeting across the world such as Japanese bows, the Indians’ Salaam, Chinese grave motion of hands and the Arab’s touch with finger tips, etc.

Further the essayist compares the custom of shaking hands with other customs. He humorously elaborates on the custom of kissing which is prominent in Russia.  He describes the funny incident where Prince Kropotkin was kissed on his cheek by several elderly men.  

He also gives some humorous anecdotes regarding different types of hand shakes. He says that one does not prefer to shake warm, clammy hands, listless, flaccid hands, and bony, energetic hands. 

Though there is some criticism on the custom of shaking hands on health grounds, Gardiner says that it is the most instinctive custom of greeting. He opines that a person’s hand shake is a mark of his or her personality. 

Even an act of Parliament cannot prevent the English people from shaking hands.  Despite its disadvantages, the custom of shaking hands is a happy mean between oriental salaam, and the Russian Hug. 

Gardiner admits that there are disadvantages in this practice of greeting on hygienic grounds. But it is so ingrained in the blood of the Westerner, that is difficult to do away with.  So he wishes that this practice should flourish.

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