INTERACTION: Studies show that a good handshake leads to a more pleasant encounter between two people.
By John Burke, Staff Writer
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that a handshake leads to a more positive interaction. They analyzed the behavior and brain activity of 18 people who rated different videos of interactions based on trustworthiness, competence and an interest in working together. 94 percent of people rated handshake interactions positively.
There is a reason why handshakes initiate such positive encounters. When handshakes precede interactions, the reward and social cognition parts of the brain work together and produce a positive thought, according to study author Florin Dolcos, Ph.D.
Some handshakes can be better than others, though. Body language expert Patti Wood breaks down the perfect handshake into three simple steps.
The first step is to start early. By putting a hand out about five to six feet in front of a person, a person appears confident and in control of the situation. If unsure about whether or not to make the first move, Wood advises letting the host make the first move. But if the other person is making the first move, one should point one’s fingers downwards and scoop up the other person’s palm for pure hand-to-hand contact. This helps to avoid the awkward fingers-only grab.
The second step is pressure. “You want to be in sync with the person that’s shaking your hand,” Wood said. Gauge how much pressure the partner is applying, and then respond with the same amount. If a partner has a bone-crushing grip, Wood recommends: “Shift your weight onto your right foot. Your hand goes a little bit forward, and they’ll loosen the grip.” This is a very subtle move, which typically remains unnoticed by the palm-crusher.
The final component of a perfect handshake is eye contact. Woods recommends three seconds as the perfect amount of eye contact. That is usually the amount of time it takes for someone to blink or look away. Any shorter amount of time shows weakness, while any longer is unnerving.
As a bonus, do not forget the farewell handshake. The tradition of the “good-bye shake” originates from sports. Athletes shake hands before the game, duke it out and then shake hands again when it is over. It symbolizes a pacifying gesture: we fought, but now we are friends again. Also, if the first attempt at a handshake fails, this is a chance at redemption.