Handling it

A true reflection of independence 🙂

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Thomas Nelson25 said:Imagine if you had some kind of scanner—like, high-tech glasses—that could actually see microorganisms.
Ever since I started reading up on how questionable people's hygiene really is—and let's face it, hands are the main culprit—I’ve been seriously tempted to just become a Japanese person.

Look, shaking hands isn't the issue itself... it's the stuff you can't see. So I just try to dodge them. If I have to, I'll make a quick dash for the restroom, pull my own soap out of my pocket, and scrub my hands like crazy. 😁

As good as it gets, this scene from a movie immediately brought your comments to mind..

Besides, I have always been against handshakes. We could learn a thing or two from Japanese culture; a simple bow is more than enough.

Leaning in just feels a bit too much like being a creep, doesn't it?

Weak handshakes—it’s such a limp, lifeless way to greet someone. Like someone once said, it feels like you're just touching a wet squid. I'm not asking you to rip my arm off, but I'd much prefer a little bit of "blood" and actual life behind the contact.

I deal with people professionally quite often, and I have to say, there is nothing quite as unsettling as someone giving you an
Unknown handshaking experience. But then again—and this is where I start overthinking things—how am I actually supposed to gauge how my own touch comes across to others?
Is that some kind of social skill you practice with your inner circle?
Personally, I’ve never had the nerve to ask. For all I know, my handshake might be too weak, or perhaps it hits that perfect, subtle sweet spot.
It’s certainly not aggressive. There have been times when a handshake was actually painful—mostly because the other person
seems to have zero tactile awareness or simply doesn't care. Still, I'm left wondering: how can you ever truly know? Especially if you aren't constantly testing the waters.

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Carl Rivera43 said:Leaning in just feels a bit too much like being a creep, doesn't it?

It sounds... well, we'll see how it plays out.
But what about a handshake? Think of all those bacteria being swapped around.

Our habits define us, certainly, but spending a month in Japan should give you more than enough time to realize we can develop our own version of a polite nod. Perhaps just a slight bend in the spine—not quite as deep as a Japanese person might do, but with a subtle, respectful tilt of the head.

Gregory Jackson3 said:What absolute nonsense these conclusions are.

What if someone simply isn't inclined to shake hands?
Or perhaps the gesture holds no particular significance for them;
or they find it just as meaningful as a single, solitary wave of the hand.

Personally, my favorites are those guys who wander up to your table at a diner and just offer a hand. You can't really shut them down—even if you secretly want to tell them where to shove it—so you just shake the hand, move on, and go wash up immediately....

Michelle Carter2 said:Are you kidding me?

Once again... I would argue that how one handles things is their signature.
It represents intention, logic, and fundamental attitude.
Is it not a core component of one's development? It serves as the blueprint for navigating an adult society.

As the old saying goes, if you handle things half-heartedly, you’ll achieve nothing at all.

And I guess that's why certain parts of this country feel stuck in the past. Personally, I’ve held onto the old ways, though I still respect them, so I make sure to shake hands firmly and decisively. Although, unless it’s a strictly formal situation (like at work, or meeting my parents' friends, etc.), I tend to view it as a bit of a character test; if someone insists too much on a handshake, I find myself thinking... nah.

ironrider11 said:Just a little nod, a tilt, maybe a quick smile to say hi, should be more than enough...

Thomas Nelson25 said:Imagine if you had some kind of scanner—like, high-tech glasses—that could actually see microorganisms.
Ever since I started reading up on how questionable people's hygiene really is—and let's face it, hands are the main culprit—I’ve been seriously tempted to just become a Japanese person.

Look, shaking hands isn't the issue itself... it's the stuff you can't see. So I just try to dodge them. If I have to, I'll make a quick dash for the restroom, pull my own soap out of my pocket, and scrub my hands like crazy. 😁

See, I'm not being irrational. We learned certain things in biology class, and I think it actually makes sense to slowly move away from these old-fashioned customs.

And what’s your take on people who offer a hand but won't even look you in the eye?

Alexander Thompson said:Personally, my favorites are those guys who wander up to your table at a diner and just offer a hand. You can't really shut them down—even if you secretly want to tell them where to shove it—so you just shake the hand, move on, and go wash up immediately....

Only if you're eating with your hands at that restaurant 🤔

restlesssailor3 said:And what’s your take on people who offer a hand but won't even look you in the eye?

They're becoming more common—though it's usually kids doing it... they're just shy!

I’m big on a firm handshake and actually looking someone in the eye... if it's weak, I just get this vibe that the person is basically a total pushover, you know? And avoiding eye contact makes me feel like they're hiding something or just can't be trusted... but hey, maybe that's just my take on things... 😁