Dead Fish and the Value of a deal

[Izzy]

There you are ready to close a deal and the guy/gal puts their hand out to shake yours and you are happy to return the handshake and the next thing you know you are holding a dead fish. Their handshake is limp and has zero conviction. If you gave this person money you now feel sick.

Or at least that is how I see it. I was always told that the value of a mans conviction and integrity could be felt in their handshake. Those who I have found to be shady or otherwise in our personal deals have had limp dead fish handshakes.

What is your take on this?

[Indigo November]

The handful of times I've been bothered to shake someone's hand, I'm sure I had a "dead fish" handshake.
I'm just a very apathetic person who doesn't like many people. I lack enthusiasm in most situations.
But I'm honest and trustworthy and not at all shady. Human interaction just doesn't do anything for me, I guess.

[mad editor]

I believe in the handshake. Always did and I always extend my hand. I find it strange that often people are surprised when a woman attempts to shake their hand. You'd think they'd get over that by now. I have a good, strong handshake.

[Stephanie C]

I usually shake a persons hand when I meet them and all I can say is that those dead fish handshakes make me want to wash my hands...
(I'm getting all creeped out now thinking about it!)

[Bruce A]

I agree with all of the above plus a dead fish handshake from a male and I also think effeminate.

[gturner]

very much a cultural thing in my neck of the woods.
Black and white guys give it a firm shake, Asian (indian, arab, chinese) all give it the dead fish.

I was drilled on the firm handshake and HATE the dead fish , but understand that some people just don't feel the same way.

[NgaiHill]

Originally Posted by mad editor

I believe in the handshake. Always did and I always extend my hand. I find it strange that often people are surprised when a woman attempts to shake their hand. You'd think they'd get over that by now. I have a good, strong handshake.

Having been in the army for many years I find it natural to shake hands with people but often also find that some are reluctant to shake hands with a woman. Other women more so than men in my experience. Though I've often had men who will shake hands with the men with me and just say hello to me - that I find a little rude. And a dead fish will always lower my opinion of someone, I like a good firm handshake.

[Sloseph]

i have always been brought up on the same theory and firmly belive it, can't stand it when people give me the dead fish

almost as bad is also the man that over compensates and trys to crush your hand, you just know its no a natural shake from them, if anything i trust them less

i feel its polite when you 1st meet a person to lead with a shake, its impersonal but also kind

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by mad editor

I believe in the handshake. Always did and I always extend my hand. I find it strange that often people are surprised when a woman attempts to shake their hand. You'd think they'd get over that by now. I have a good, strong handshake.

Originally Posted by NgaiHill

Having been in the army for many years I find it natural to shake hands with people but often also find that some are reluctant to shake hands with a woman. Other women more so than men in my experience. Though I've often had men who will shake hands with the men with me and just say hello to me - that I find a little rude. And a dead fish will always lower my opinion of someone, I like a good firm handshake.

Proper etiquette dictates that a man shouldn't offer to shake a woman's hand unless she extends hers first. NgaiHill, This should have been taught in any/all of the leadership schools you attended during your many years in the military.

I have the opposite problem, I start with a firm grip and usually the other person's grip doesn't match mine and I often wonder if I over did it.... I guess that's the effect a weak handshake does to me.