The ideal handshake
When you shake hands, always look into the eyes of your friend Practise that with the family tonight; have a little secret practice after supper in the important art of shaking hands. Hold out your hand in a hearty, hospitable fashion, take the other’s palm in a firm grasp and look the other kindly in the eye. That is the first position. Only one more rule needs to be noted. Let your grasp be firm, but not too muscular. Avoid both the flabby and the fighting handshake. There are those who pass you what feels like nothing but a dead fish? You hold a collection of damp fingers. To such a person, I would never offer a position. For such I would never try to make a friend. The other extreme is not so bad in character but far more painful to the flesh. I call it the oarsman’s grip. It is as if your poor palm were the oar of the victorious athlete as he sweeps over the line. You feel your knuckles grinding together; your skin is pinched, and you wince. After the greeting is over, you shake your fingers to regain circulation. This terrifying form of cordiality should be avoided by all men. It is not a sign of heartiness; it is a piece of thoughtless physical persecution. Again, I say, practise this art. Study shaking hands at home.
