Monday, September 22, 2008

Pet Peeve # 7,369,852.039

Wimpy handshakes. Especially those wimpy WOMAN handshakes, where the woman in question sorta does the limp-wrist flop, as if I'm supposed to bow over her hand and kiss it or something.
It's probably my German upbringing, but I can't stand a bad handshake.

Maybe I should start a class? Proper Handshakes 101. Or write a book..."Shaking Hands for Dummies."

Works for me.

6 comments:

Mike Craycraft said...

I agree with you. It kind of creeps me out. My father taught me how to shake hands at a young age. Make sure the web of your thumb/forefinger meets with the others persons, grab firmly but not too hard and shake.

Seems pretty simple but there are still those limp-wrist shakes that I can't stand, especially when it comes from another guy.

Anonymous said...

Oh my god, I totally forgot how much I LOATHE those until you brought it up. At which point I felt the anger rising...seriously people, did no one ever teach you about proper handshakes?

When I get one of those limp one, I feel a deep deep urge to either teach them how to properly shake (and do, if the person has yet to graduate from high school using my "I'm a teacher, I have to teach" excuse) or I have to repress my urge to wipe my hand on my pants/skirt immediately after if the person is older.

Mostly I want to smack them..

Wow--I didn't know that rant was hiding in me...

Putz said...

my pet peave is whimpy milkshakes, ya know running, runny and not thicxk, yep whimpy milkshakes

Anonymous said...

Oh man... I definitely hate weak handshakes. Makes me want to go wash my hands afterwards since I feel so dirty

Christina RN LMT said...

Pharmacistmike, thanks for stopping by! I never even thought of the "thumb-webbing" thing...that's a great way to put it. I have tutored my girls on numerous occasions how to properly shake hands, just because it drives me up the wall so much when people can't do it right.
Also, which I forgot to mention in the post, I also dislike it when men act like they're afraid they're going to hurt me when we shake hands! As a massage therapist, it's usually the other way around!

D.N. - Tutor them! They obviously need it. I feel you on the smacking thing, it's definitely crossed my mind on more than one occasion...;)

Putz - you are too funny! Runny milkshakes are the pits, you're right!

Las Vegas Courtesan - I'm honored you stopped by. In Germany, or at least in Berlin, we likened those limp handshakes to holding a fresh dog-turd in your hand. Handwashing is absolutely indicated!

Mike Craycraft said...

Christina, That is the reason you make the webs meet. That way if you meet a LMT they can't crush your hand. My pop had a buddy that used to hove to crush peoples hands when he shook. Pop taught me the trick so that I wouldn't wince every time I shook the guys hand.