The handshake (and other forms of greeting).

Things to avoid
Dont...
...move forward too much, invading the other persons personal space! ...do more than three shakes!

...twist your hand so that your hand is covering theirs in a bid to dominate them!

HI, IM GRAHAM. ITS A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU!

...hold onto the other persons hand and refuse to let go! ...pull your hand away too quickly! ...wipe your hand on your clothes after shaking the other persons hand. ...offer your fingertips! ...grasp the other persons arm!

How do you greet friends, colleagues or members of your family? This new mini-series will focus on typical ways of greeting one another in English-speaking countries. In this first part: the handshake. A handshake is a form of greeting thats used a lot in business. According to numerous studies, it contributes a lot to first impressions. Heres how to perform the perfect handshake. For more information on shaking hands, see the article on the following page.

Phrases to say when you meet someone

Hi, Im Nicola Simmonds. Its great to meet you. How do you do? Pleased to meet you. (Amelia Best). Its a pleasure to meet you. Its an honour to meet you. [to someone really important / famous, etc.]

...put your other hand on top of theirs for a double handshake!

Phrases to say when saying goodbye

It was a pleasure to meet you. Its been great talking to you. I look forward to doing business with you. Thank you so much for meeting with me. It was nice to meet you.

...hold onto the other persons elbow or shoulder!

GLOSSARY
limp adj if you describe something as limp, youre saying that its soft or weak when it should be rm or strong to refuse vb if you refuse to do something, you say that you wont do that thing to let go exp when you let go of someones hand, you stop holding onto it and release it a ngertip n the end of your nger to grasp vb if you grasp something, you take it in your hand and hold it very rmly an elbow n the joint in the middle of your arm a shoulder n the joint at the top of your arm between your arm and body to squeeze vb if you squeeze something, you press it rmly (often with your hands) sweaty adj if a part of someones body is sweaty, it is covered in sweat (liquid from your body) to twist vb to turn in a bid to exp in an attempt to to wipe vb to clean

5
1. 2. 3. 4.

6
...squeeze too hard you dont want to hurt them!

Shaking hands with someone youve never met before

Step forward towards the other person. Extend your right hand. Take the others persons right hand in your right hand. Look the other person in the eyes, smile and say How do you do? (or any of the other phrases from the box on this page). Then, say your name and surname: Im Brian Conrad. If the other person tells you their name, repeat it back (this will help you remember it). A: How do you do? Im Brian Conrad. B: How do you do? Alexandra Scott. A: Pleased to meet you, Alexandra. 5. Shake the other persons hand, moving it up and down once or twice. Use a good, solid firm, handshake (not too hard and definitely not limp). 6. Finally, take your hand back, and step back.

...pull the other person towards you aggressively! ...offer the other person a wet or sweaty hand dry it first!

For more company classes or private tuition, contact classes@hotenglishmagazine.com / www.hotenglishgroup.com /