Editing Handshake (section)

==Modern customs==
[[File:Mr. M K Mishra, IOFS.jpg|thumb|Officers shaking hands]]
[[File:Handshake.jpg|thumb|Shaking with the right hand while delivering a certificate with the left]]
[[File:Tennis shake hands after match.jpg|thumb|Tennis players shaking hands after match]]
[[File:Leaders welcoming boy into Mexico Scouting.jpg|thumb|Leaders welcome a boy into [[Scouting]], March 2010, Mexico City, Mexico. Note the left-handed handshake.]]
[[File:Bill Clinton, Yitzhak Rabin, Yasser Arafat at the White House 1993-09-13.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Israeli Prime Minister [[Yitzhak Rabin]], U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]], and [[Yasser Arafat]] at the Oslo Accords signing ceremony on 13 September 1993]]

There are various customs surrounding handshakes, both generally and specific to certain cultures:

The handshake is commonly done upon meeting, [[greeting]], parting, offering congratulations, expressing [[gratitude]], or as a public sign of completing a business or diplomatic [[Contract|agreement]]. In [[Sport|sports]], it is also done as a sign of good [[sportsmanship]]. Its purpose is to convey trust, [[respect]], balance, and equality.<ref name="GQ">{{cite web
  |url = https://www.gq.com/style/style-guy/miscellany/200006/women-hand-shaking
  |title = Shaking hands with women
  |work = GQ
  |publisher = Condé Nast Digital
  |year = 2000
  |access-date = 4 September 2011
  |archive-date = 24 April 2015
  |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150424014803/http://www.gq.com/style/style-guy/miscellany/200006/women-hand-shaking
  |url-status = dead
  }}</ref> If it is done to form an agreement, the agreement is not official until the hands are parted.

Unless health issues or local [[tradition|custom]]s dictate otherwise, a handshake is made usually with bare hands. It depends on the situation.<ref name="Emily Post">{{Cite book
  |last = Post
  |first = Emily
  |title = Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics and at Home
  |location = New York
  |publisher = Funk & Wagnalls
  |year = 1922
  |at = Chapter 3
}}</ref>

===By geographic location===
* In [[English-speaking world|Anglophone]] countries, handshaking is common in business situations. In casual non-business situations, men are more likely to shake hands than women.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://whydopeople.net/why-do-people-shake-hands/ |title=Why Do People Shake Hands? &#124; Why Do People |publisher=whydopeople.net |year=2012 |access-date=21 May 2012}}</ref>
* In the [[United States]], [[United Kingdom]] and  [[Canada]], a traditional handshake is firm, executed with the right hand, with good posture and eye contact. A handshake where both parties are [[Standing|standing up]] is deemed as good [[etiquette]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rick |date=2021-11-18 |title=The art of a good handshake in a[sic] interview or meeting – News & Insights |url=https://hterecruitment.co.uk/the-art-of-a-good-handshake-in-a-interview-or-meeting-news-insights/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=HtE Recruitment |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="Handshakes"/>
* [[Austrians]] shake hands when meeting, often including with children.<ref name="Handshakes"/>
* In the [[Netherlands]] and [[Belgium]], handshakes are done more often, especially on meeting.<ref name="Handshakes">{{Cite web|url=https://theconnectedwoman.com/whoops/|title=Whoops! > The Connected Woman Association}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=PHR3102 |title=Shaking Hands Around the World |publisher=wisc-online.com |year=2012 |access-date=21 May 2012}}</ref>
* In [[Denmark]], the final step in [[Danish nationality law#Naturalisation as a Danish citizen|acquiring]] Danish citizenship is a ceremony at which a handshake with a local official is specifically required (gloves may not be worn).<ref>{{cite web |title=Handshakes high on the agenda as Denmark's immigration minister awards nine citizenships |url=https://www.thelocal.dk/20190118/handshakes-high-on-the-agenda-as-denmarks-immigration-minister-awards-nine-citizenships |website=[[The Local]] |access-date=8 June 2024}}</ref>
* In [[Norway]], where a firm handshake is preferred, people most often shake hands when agreeing on deals, in private and business relations.<ref name="Handshakes"/>
* In Russia, a handshake is performed between men and rarely performed by women.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.languageconnections.com/blog/friends-greeting-around-the-world/|title=Friends Greeting Around the World|date=1 July 2022}}</ref>
* In [[Switzerland]], it may be expected to shake the women's hands first.<ref name="Handshakes"/>
* In [[Israel]], handshakes are standard among Jews (other than ultra-religious Jews, between genders), but not among Arabs.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yvVPTD4Cv84C&dq=handshakes+israel+etiquette&pg=PA291 | title=Business Etiquette for Dummies | isbn=9781118051573 | last1=Fox | first1=Sue | date=31 January 2011 | publisher=John Wiley & Sons }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r4I2DwAAQBAJ&dq=handshakes+israel+etiquette&pg=PA153 | title=Etiquette and Taboos around the World: A Geographic Encyclopedia of Social and Cultural Customs | isbn=9781440838217 | last1=Taylor | first1=Ken | last2=Williams | first2=Victoria R. | date=5 October 2017 | publisher=Abc-Clio }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ObyrcJ-Ksv8C&dq=handshakes+israel+etiquette&pg=PA45 | title=The Global Etiquette Guide to Africa and the Middle East: Everything You Need to Know for Business and Travel Success | isbn=9780471272823 | last1=Foster | first1=Dean | date=October 2002 | publisher=John Wiley & Sons }}</ref>
* In some countries such as Turkey or the [[Arabic]]-speaking [[Middle East]], handshakes are not as firm as in the West. Consequently, a grip that is too firm is rude.<ref name="Handshakes"/> 
* [[Moroccans]] will give a soft handshake to someone of the same gender, along with one kiss on each cheek (lips don't touch the cheek unless they are family).<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vQpSAAAAQBAJ&dq=handshakes+etiquette+morocco&pg=PT238 | title=Hospitality and Tourism Management in Africa | isbn=9781469144665 | last1=Ubani | first1=Lumumba Umunna | date=9 February 2012 | publisher=Xlibris Corporation }}</ref> The handshake may be followed by lightly touching one's heart with one's right hand.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rLMuDwAAQBAJ&dq=handshakes+etiquette+morocco+heart&pg=PT1110 | title=Lonely Planet Morocco | isbn=9781787010093 | last1=Planet | first1=Lonely | last2=Lee | first2=Jessica | last3=Atkinson | first3=Brett | last4=Clammer | first4=Paul | last5=Maxwell | first5=Virginia | last6=Louis | first6=Regis St | last7=Parkes | first7=Lorna | date=August 2017 | publisher=Lonely Planet }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book
  |title = Etiquette in het buitenland 
  |trans-title=Etiquette Abroad 
  |language = nl
  |first1 = Kevin
  |last1 = Strubbe
  |first2 = Liesbeth
  |last2 = Hobert
  |location = [[Leuven]]
  |publisher = Van Halewyck
  |year = 2009
  |isbn = 978-90-5617-910-6
}}</ref>
*In [[Armenia]], handshakes are the most common greetings between men, optionally followed by a kiss on the cheek if the two parties have a close relationship.  Traditionally, a woman needs to wait for the man to present his hand for the handshake. Women usually greet each other with hugs and a kiss on the cheek.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Culture Crossing |url=https://guide.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student_details.php?Id=7&CID=11 |access-date=12 March 2022 |website=guide.culturecrossing.net}}</ref>
* In [[China]], age is considered important in handshake etiquette, and older people should be greeted with a handshake before others.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/54063/what-proper-handshake-etiquette-around-world|title=What is Proper Handshake Etiquette Around the World?|date=5 December 2013|website=www.mentalfloss.com|language=en|access-date=28 March 2020}}</ref> A weak handshake is also preferred, but people shaking hands often hold on to each other's hands for an extended period after the initial handshake.<ref name="Handshakes"/>
* In Japan, there is not a tradition of shaking hands and it is preferred to formally [[bowing|bow]] to each other (with hands open by their sides). Japanese people may greet foreigners with a handshake; foreigners are advised to let Japanese people initiate any handshakes, and a weak handshake is preferred.<ref name="Handshakes"/> A curious exception are so-called [[handshake event]]s.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kECtDAAAQBAJ&dq=handshake+event+japan&pg=PA187 | title=True Crime Japan: Thieves, Rascals, Killers and Dope Heads: True Stories from a Japanese Courtroom | isbn=9781462918973 | last1=Murphy | first1=Paul | date=2 August 2016 | publisher=Tuttle }}</ref>
* In [[Korea]], a senior person will initiate a handshake, which is preferred to be weak. It is a sign of respect to grasp the right arm with the left hand when shaking hands. It is considered disrespectful to put the free hand in one's pocket while shaking hands.<ref name="Handshakes"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/04/23/178650537/bill-gates-handshake-with-south-koreas-park-sparks-debate|title=Bill Gates' Handshake With South Korea's Park Sparks Debate|website=NPR.org|date=23 April 2013|last1=Chappell|first1=Bill}}</ref> Bowing is the preferred and conventional way of greeting a person in Korea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://10mag.com/understanding-south-korean-business-etiquette/|title=Understanding South Korean Business Etiquette|date=22 March 2018}}</ref>
*In [[Thailand]], handshaking is only done if the traditional [[Thai greeting|''wai'']] is not offered. When a person offers a ''wai'', placing their palms together at chest level and bowing, this is then returned, with men saying “Sawadee-krap” and women saying “Sawadee-kah” (both mean “Hello").<ref name="auto"/>
* In [[India]] and [[Greater India|several nearby countries]], the respectful [[Namaste]] gesture, sometimes combined with a slight bow, is traditionally used in place of handshakes. Handshakes are preferred in business and other formal settings.
*In some areas of [[Africa]]{{which|date=July 2022}}, handshakes are continually held to show that the conversation is between the two talking. If they are not shaking hands, others are permitted to enter the conversation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.citizen.co.za/south-coast-herald/233477/16-things-that-explain-the-modern-handshake-and-how-it-differs-around-the-world/|title=16 Ways the modern handshake can differ around the world|first=Pongrass|last=Import|date=13 September 2017}}</ref>
* [[Maasai people|Masai]] men in Africa greet one another by a subtle touch of palms of their hands for a very brief moment of time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/shake-hands-like-gentleman/|title=How To Shake Hands Like A Gentleman - Handshake Etiquette For Confident Introductions|date=15 December 2019}}</ref>
* In [[Liberia]], the [[Liberian snap handshake|snap handshake]] is customary in which the two shakers snap their fingers against each other at the conclusion of the handshake.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29260185|title=Ebola outbreak: How Liberia lost its handshake|work=BBC News |date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
* In [[Ethiopia]], it is considered rude to use the left hand during a handshake. While greeting the elderly or a person in authority, it is also customary to accompany the handshake with a bow and the left hand supporting the right.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lalmba.org/2020/05/04/lalmba-news-vol-57-no-2/|title=Lalmba News, Vol. 57 No. 2 &#124; Lalmba|first=Rob|last=Andzik|date=4 May 2020}}</ref>
* In [[Indonesia]], it is considered rude to use one's left hand as it is a hand designated for unclean duties. A medium to soft handshake grip is sufficient, since gripping too hard could be considered rude or an act of aggression.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aiya.org.au/2015/01/19/culture-customs-and-traditions-greetings-in-indonesia/ |title=Culture, customs and traditions: Greetings in Indonesia – Australia-Indonesia Youth Association }}</ref>

===Other===
*  Related to a handshake but more casual, some people prefer a [[fist bump]]. Typically the fist bump is done with a clenched hand. Only the knuckles of the hand are typically touched to the knuckles of the other person's hand. Unlike the formality of a handshake, the fist bump is typically not used to seal a business deal or in formal business settings.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2014/07/19/331809186/in-the-world-of-global-gestures-the-fist-bump-stands-alone]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=5425459&page=1|title=Can the fist bump mix with business?|website=ABC News}}</ref>
* The hand hug is a type of handshake popular with politicians, as it can present them as being warm, friendly, trustworthy and honest. This type of handshake involves covering the clenched hands with the remaining free hand, creating a sort of "cocoon".<ref>{{Cite book
  |title = Handshake: Student's Book: A Course in Communication 
  |publisher = OUP Oxford 
  |date=7 November 1996
|isbn = 978-90-5617-910-6
}}</ref>
*In the sport of [[fencing]], after the [[Olha Kharlan#2023–present; World Championships|Olga Kharlan handshaking incident]] in 2023, the [[International Fencing Federation]] changed its rules so that the previously required handshakes between fencers at the end of a bout would become optional, with a distance greeting permitted instead.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1139359/fie-eases-handshake-rules|title=FIE agrees to make handshake optional after Kharlan controversy|date=29 July 2023|website=www.insidethegames.biz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=International Fencing Federation decides to cancel mandatory handshake |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/07/29/7413359/ |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}</ref>