Happy National Handshake Day: Gotta hand it to you!

While June has been filled with all sorts of holidays, this holiday celebrates something we’ve all done. Whether firm or weak, long or short, today’s holiday celebrates a common greeting practiced in just about every aspect of our lives. Bye-bye fist bumps and so long high-fives. It’s time for National Handshake Day, an annual “holiday” celebrated on the last Thursday in June.

Get a Grip - It’s in Your Hands

Folks have been shaking hands for centuries. And back in the day, many people shook hands to complete a deal. “Let’s shake on it” was as good as signing on the dotted line.

When you see a long lost friend, how do you usually greet him or her? With a loving hug or pat on the back? Or do you go in for a quick peck on the cheek or opt for a friendly handshake instead? And how do you “hand-le” the meet-and-greet with a potential new boss or co-worker? We all know that we only get the chance to make a first impression once. According to Psychology Today, many human resource administrators sum a person up within 2 to 3 minutes of initial contact! So first impressions come in pretty “handy.”

Got to Hand it to You

What kind of shaker are you? Are you the strong and firm type or the barely there, weak and wimpy handshaker? And what about your hands? Are they nice and dry, drenched in sweat or as cold and clammy as a dead fish? Some experts say that a handshake reveals an awful lot about your personality. A strong and firm handshake exudes confidence – just don’t squeeze too hard.