Handshakes and Health: A Closer Look

Handshakes are great at spreading germs, especially bacteria and viruses. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, people started questioning the safety of handshakes. They realized that handshakes could easily spread the virus. As a result, people switched to fist bumps and elbow bumps, which are much safer. 

Our hands are full of germs, making handshakes a quick way to pass them on. Germs from a common cold can stay on our hands for more than three hours after a handshake, and flu viruses can last up to an hour. Switching to a fist bump can cut down germ transmission by up to 90%. Using an elbow bump might even get rid of the risk altogether

The Timeless Tradition of Handshakes

Despite facing numerous deadly pandemics, the handshake has survived through history. Even though handshakes have decreased or temporarily stopped during past health crises, they have always made a comeback. COVID-19 hasn't ended this tradition either.

The handshake goes way back, even before humans, to our common ancestors with chimpanzees, suggesting it started over seven million years ago. Neanderthals, early Homo sapiens, chimps, and bonobos have all used this greeting, but not gorillas, indicating it didn't come from ancestors we had over 10 million years ago.

The oldest clear proof of a handshake dates back to the ninth century BC, shown in a sculpture of a meeting between an Assyrian and a Babylonian king. Even in ancient texts and art, like Homer’s "Iliad" and "Odyssey" from the eighth century BC and works from Etruscan and Roman times between the fourth and first centuries BC, handshakes were depicted, showcasing their long-standing role in human connection.

Handshakes: a universal sign of goodwill

The handshake is a universal gesture of goodwill, not a method to check for hidden weapons. It represents peace, trust, friendship, humility, respect, and equality. Starting an interaction with a handshake can lead to a positive impression and reduce the impact of a negative one. 

The handshake's simplicity and broad application have made it almost universal, although some cultures in the Far East don't use it, possibly due to historical pandemics.

In the past, tribes around the world used complex greetings, such as touching penis tips or smacking another person's chest. However, as humans settled in towns and cities, these time-consuming rituals became impractical. Interestingly, even isolated tribes had versions of the handshake before making contact with civilization. For example, explorer Ivan Champion shook hands with a New Guinea tribe member in 1928, and biologist David Attenborough extended a hand of friendship to an irate, armed tribe in 1957.

Handshakes are simple but vary widely across cultures

The handshake is a simple gesture that varies across cultures. Globally, the handshake is common, with the Western full-handed, firm, one- or two-pump version being widely adopted. This is likely due to the historical military and cultural influence of Britain and the United States.

Different cultures add unique touches to their handshakes:

• Ethiopians often bump shoulders while shaking hands.
• Maasai tribe members touch their palms before shaking.
• In Ghana and Liberia, a finger snap ends the handshake.
• In the Middle East, a hand-on-heart gesture often accompanies handshakes.
• In Greece, people shake hands and pat each other's backs simultaneously.

Despite these variations, almost all cultures use the right hand for handshakes. This tradition may have originated from a time when the left hand was used for personal hygiene and the right hand was associated with virtue.

Different greetings exist, but they're specific to regions

While the handshake is common, other greetings remain popular in specific regions. 

Kisses as a Greeting:

• Cheek kisses are popular in Russia, Afghanistan, and Europe.
• Hand kisses are common in the Middle East.
• Forehead kisses are a tradition in the Congo.
• Foot kisses are practiced in India and Bangladesh.

Other Traditional Greetings:

• In Fiji and the Arctic, people rub noses or touch foreheads to capture each other's scents.
• Kissing, bowing, and curtsying have been handshake alternatives for centuries.
• These gestures signify respect, warmth, and good intentions.

Cultural Differences and Misunderstandings:

• Cultural variations in greetings can cause awkward situations.
• Example: US President Barack Obama kissing Myanmar's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.
• Example: First Lady Michelle Obama hugging Queen Elizabeth II.
• Such incidents can lead to accusations of cultural insensitivity.

Despite bans, handshakes have always returned.
Even attempts by leaders to replace the handshake have failed. For example, Hitler's raised arm salute in Nazi Germany quickly disappeared after the regime's fall, making way for the handshake to come back. 

Throughout history, deadly outbreaks like the sixth-century Plague of Justinian  (541–542 AD) and the Spanish Flu of (1918-1920) led countries to temporarily abandon handshakes. However, as soon as the threat diminished, the handshake always returned to its prominent social role. Similarly, the fist and elbow bumps that became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to fade away, with the handshake reclaiming its traditional place once the pandemic is over.

The Power of Handshakes in Building Trust

Handshakes play a crucial role in building trust in both social and business settings. They tap into our basic need for touch, creating a sense of connection and trust. Here's how:

• Animal Instincts: Handshakes bring people closer, allowing us to pick up on social cues like mood and intentions.
• Skin Hunger: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted our need for physical contact. Touching releases hormones that reduce stress and promote bonding.
• Sensory Richness: Our hands and fingers are packed with nerve endings, making handshakes more satisfying than other forms of contact, like elbow bumps.

In business, handshakes are a common practice and can sometimes be enough to finalize deals without formal contracts. In politics, handshakes are used to connect with voters. For example, US Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William McKinley were known for shaking thousands of hands in a single day. However, McKinley's practice led to a tragic outcome when an assassin used a handshake as an opportunity to get close enough to fatally shoot him.

Learn a good handshake to boost your career
A proper handshake is easy to master and can significantly impact your career. Yale University even teaches students how to shake hands properly. While there's no one-size-fits-all technique, some key principles can be learned quickly. Avoid using the handshake as a power play or a show of dominance. In the past, such gestures were common, like the two-finger handshake of upper-class English women to signal superiority. Today, this would be inappropriate.

Observe how Donald Trump shakes hands, exerting dominance by crushing the other person's hand. This approach is off-putting and has led to international ridicule. Even Trump, known for his germaphobia, would agree that handshaking should be avoided when sick. For example, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson continued shaking hands during the COVID-19 pandemic and ended up contracting the virus.

To shake hands properly, start with a clean, dry palm. If unsure, let the other person initiate the handshake. Extend your right arm, angling your hand downward at a 45º angle. Practice a firm but gentle grip, avoiding a tight or crushing handshake. A firm handshake is particularly important for women, signaling confidence. Keep the handshake brief, just a few seconds, with a gentle pump or two.

The handshake can greatly influence global events
The handshake can greatly influence world events. When someone refuses a handshake, it can feel like a rejection. For example, in 1954, US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles didn't shake hands with Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, leading to two decades of strained relations. However, a handshake between US President Richard Nixon and Zhou Enlai in 1972 started to mend their relationship.

Some historical handshakes are famous:

• Adolf Hitler's handshake with British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in 1938 is seen as a symbol of betrayal and naivety.
• Nelson Mandela's handshake with South Africa's rugby captain Francois Pienaar in 1995 symbolized hope and unity after the Rugby World Cup victory.
• Princess Diana's handshake with AIDS patients in 1987 showed compassion during a time of fear.
• The handshake between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985 marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War.

The Future of Handshakes

Pandemics won't end handshakes permanently. A better greeting needs to emerge before handshakes decline. Fist or elbow bumps might replace them, but they feel awkward. Fist bumps can seem aggressive, while elbow bumps lack the satisfaction of touch. Other gestures like curtsies and bows might imply inequality or gender issues, and wouldn't be accepted in all cultures due to religious reasons.

Touch is essential for humans, possibly rooted in our genes. The handshake, with a history of seven million years, is deeply ingrained in our culture. It's tough to replace, despite its drawbacks.