In our daily human communication, greetings between each other is primarily necessary. The differences between cultures and customs cause the differences between the courtesies in greeting, which colors the customs in greeting, such as nodding, bowing, hands-folding, hugging and handshaking, and among these, handshaking is regarded as a universal language in greetings.
Handshaking has gradually formed in the long course of human communication. Back to the age of slash-and-burn, people live on hunting. When people encounter the stranger from other tribes, they will assure each other that they are friendly through putting down the sticks or stones in their hands and touching each other's palm. This kind of hospitality--touching palms--has gradually improved into handshaking in our age now. Then what shall we notice while shaking hands with others, since it is a regular courtesy in our social life.
Firstly, we must use right hands to shake. If you have something to do with your right hands, you should explain to him or her, or nodding to say sorry while showing your hands to him or her, and getting the forgiveness. Then you should wash your hands immediately and treat him or her warmly. If you are wearing a glove, you should take it off, putting it down or holding it, and shake hands with him or her. Never shake hands without taking your glove off, or leaving it around casually, which will make him or her misunderstand you. But the requirements can be lowered when it comes to woman: when a lady takes off her glove, it means she respects especially, but a lady must take the glove off while shaking hands with the seniors.
Secondly, we should pay attention to the orders. Who should handfirst while shaking hands? The seniors, the ladies and the teachers should give hands to the juniors, the men and the students. If two couples meet with each other, ladies greet each other first, then the husbands greet other's wivies, and the greetings between men comes last. While the guests pay a visit, generally, the hosts hand first; and while saying goodbye, the guests hand first, meaning 'don't bother to see me out'.
Thirdly, we should assure our hands are clean while shaking hands. Your hands should be clean while you are shaking hands with others; if not, others will hesitate whether to shake or not, which will leave them a bad impression on you through this dilemma. If you are doing a dusty jobs, you should wash your hands first and shake hands; if others are doing this kind of jobs, you should excuse them and greet them with another way.
Fourthly, we should shake hands with others warmly. While we shake hands with others, we should be warm, with a smile, looking into others' eyes, and according to different occasions, greeting while handshaking. The bad impression you will leave to others is self-evident if you shake hands with them casually, and look around. If you give your hand with your heart, you will pass a warm feeling to the others, then the friendship will come out at this moment. If you donot hold others' hands while they have already extended their hand, it not just means being impolite, but also will lead to the failure of your social aims.
Fifthly, we should respect others while shaking hands. Handshaking is the best oppotunity for you to express your respect to the others, and you should take advantages of it. Bow you body a little while shaking hands to show your respect; use proper force and last a while, at least, make sure that the camera can take this moment into photos. Don't be powerless or just a second; shake hands completely, and don't get your hand back when you just shake hands for a second.