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How You Can Have the Perfect Handshake

Furniture World News Desk on 6/22/2016


Mastering the art of the handshake can be critical when making a good first impression. The handshake is one of the world’s most common greetings and with National Handshake Day on June 23, Larry Quinn, director of sales and chair and assistant professor of marketing at High Point University, is available to discuss what it takes to execute the perfect handshake. Quinn shares the following tips:

First Impression
It’s not just a handshake, but an impression. A lasting impression. In the first few seconds that you meet someone they are making judgments, make sure they are positive judgments.

The Art of the Handshake
When you first approach someone, reach out your hand in greeting immediately with a smile on your face. Look them in the eye and with your peripheral vision look at the socket of their hand. Reach out your hand, hit their socket and push in so that your socket is locked with theirs. Then, wrap your hand around theirs and shake once or twice while saying “hello” followed by your first and last name.

Be Prepared

  • Make sure you are smiling and have a pleasant look on your face

  • Look them in the eye

  • Be the first one to offer your hand

  • Make sure your handshake is firm

  • If you have the opportunity, wash your hands in warm water before and dry them with a towel

The “Don’ts” of a Handshake

  • Don’t give them a grip that is too firm or crushes their hand

  • Don’t pull them in and touch their shoulder

  • Don’t shake their hand with both hands

  • Don’t stick your hand out with your palm on the top or the bottom

  • Don’t have food or grease on your hands


More about HPU: At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.® HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with more than 4,600 undergraduate and graduate students. It is ranked No. 1 by U.S. News and World Report for Best Regional Colleges in the South and No. 1 for Most Innovative Regional Colleges in the South. HPU was named the No. 4 private school in N.C. for the best return on investment, and it is a 2015-2016 College of Distinction. The university offers 47 undergraduate majors, 51 undergraduate minors and 11 graduate degree programs. It is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference. Visit High Point University on the Web at highpoint.edu.