The handshake is a custom adopted by many cultures, with only slight variations. Handshakes are so common, that they have become habitual under certain circumstances. Introductions, familiar greetings and goodbyes, and the close of business meetings all require handshakes. Further, handshakes are a common part of signs of thanks, peace, or congratulations. My favorite of the varying stories of the origin of the handshake is that the Romans were instructed to shake with the right hand because that was more often the dominant hand used for wielding a weapon. This could show trust between the parties, however, Julius Caesar was left handed. Possibly he wanted to have his dominant hand free to grab his sword.
Slapping five, fist pounding, or secret handshakes are common variations on the more traditional handshake. Straying from the customary handshake is often a norm violation. We have all experienced a “clammy hand” handshake, a “wet hand” handshake, an “icy hand” handshake, or the dreaded “dead fish” handshake. There are other norm violations as well, such as shaking with the left hand.
What happens if a person has an injured right hand or their right hand is otherwise occupied? In these situations it is acceptable for the person to shake with the left hand. However, why can we not shake with the left without some justifiable reason? Boy Scouts shake with their left hands. Common reasons cited are that the left hand is closer to the heart, or that the left hand was traditionally the shield hand and shaking with the left shows there are no defenses up between the parties.
As a norm violation, I attempted to shake hands with my left hand as often as possible. I did not have a cast, several grocery bags, or a Boy Scout uniform on (which would have been an interesting study as well), so the left handed hand shake was clearly a violation of a societal norm.
Prior to offering the left hand I was sometimes nervous about the judgment I would receive from the other party. I was embarrassed to offer my left hand to professionals or elders especially. However, strangers and my peers did not provide any discomfort at all. During the left handed hand shakes, the fear and embarrassment washed away. Occasionally there were awkward moments. An older, professional still gave me his right hand so that my palm was on the outside of his hand. Also, a few people had to switch back and forth between left and right (as if they were dancing the robot) before settling on the left hand. Most people however seemed to quickly identify that I had extended my left hand and they followed suit. After the handshake, I was no longer nervous or embarrassed. I don’t think any of my subjects were overly upset, some were confused, and a few slightly embarrassed for the awkwardness. Only my friends made a comment about me using my left hand.
I sometimes found the experiment hard to perform. Handshakes are almost a reflex. If the other party extended his hand first I always extended my right hand before I had time to think about my left. Also, that habit of offering my right hand was hard to break. There were several opportunities where I already extended my right hand and merely forgot about trying to use my left. On one occasion, I admit, I consciously refused to use my left. I was afraid to offer my left hand when I said goodbye and thank you to my friend’s father, after he had me to his camp for the weekend. I knew he would question my reason, and was too embarrassed to explain to him why I had used my left.
Slapping five, fist pounding, or secret handshakes are common variations on the more traditional handshake. Straying from the customary handshake is often a norm violation. We have all experienced a “clammy hand” handshake, a “wet hand” handshake, an “icy hand” handshake, or the dreaded “dead fish” handshake. There are other norm violations as well, such as shaking with the left hand.
What happens if a person has an injured right hand or their right hand is otherwise occupied? In these situations it is acceptable for the person to shake with the left hand. However, why can we not shake with the left without some justifiable reason? Boy Scouts shake with their left hands. Common reasons cited are that the left hand is closer to the heart, or that the left hand was traditionally the shield hand and shaking with the left shows there are no defenses up between the parties.
As a norm violation, I attempted to shake hands with my left hand as often as possible. I did not have a cast, several grocery bags, or a Boy Scout uniform on (which would have been an interesting study as well), so the left handed hand shake was clearly a violation of a societal norm.
Prior to offering the left hand I was sometimes nervous about the judgment I would receive from the other party. I was embarrassed to offer my left hand to professionals or elders especially. However, strangers and my peers did not provide any discomfort at all. During the left handed hand shakes, the fear and embarrassment washed away. Occasionally there were awkward moments. An older, professional still gave me his right hand so that my palm was on the outside of his hand. Also, a few people had to switch back and forth between left and right (as if they were dancing the robot) before settling on the left hand. Most people however seemed to quickly identify that I had extended my left hand and they followed suit. After the handshake, I was no longer nervous or embarrassed. I don’t think any of my subjects were overly upset, some were confused, and a few slightly embarrassed for the awkwardness. Only my friends made a comment about me using my left hand.
I sometimes found the experiment hard to perform. Handshakes are almost a reflex. If the other party extended his hand first I always extended my right hand before I had time to think about my left. Also, that habit of offering my right hand was hard to break. There were several opportunities where I already extended my right hand and merely forgot about trying to use my left. On one occasion, I admit, I consciously refused to use my left. I was afraid to offer my left hand when I said goodbye and thank you to my friend’s father, after he had me to his camp for the weekend. I knew he would question my reason, and was too embarrassed to explain to him why I had used my left.
1 comment:
Robbie,
This name is so cool! Brings me warm memories. I sing this song at least a few times a week with my first graders. They love it! I can imagine how much they will like your new version. And believe me, I will definitely try it!
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