think that you should shake a person's hand the same regardless of whether they are a man or a woman...

[Iamblossom]

....and not save a special, limp, weak handshake for when you are shaking hands with a woman?

I have to shake hands a reasonable amount when I meet new people through work, at meetings etc - I still feel (perhaps old fashioned?) that a proper, firm handshake gives a good impression. I teach both my sons to shake hands properly.

Yet so often I get these really pathetic waste of space handshakes from other women, and I am pretty sure some men give me the "female" version of what would be their normal shake.

AIBU?

YANBU - I can't stand a limp handshake. It's like someone handing you a wet fish. It makes me want to throw their hand away.

YANBU. I hate wet fish handshakes. Mind you I also hate bone crushers.. A happy medium is what you need.

A handshake should always be firm.

I an really having trouble getting past the language you are using to describe shaking hands with women.

I have never noticed gender being a factor in people who are bad at shaking hands.

Can't stand the limp handshake, but I'd far rather that than the 'squeeze the daylights out of your fingers' handshake that some men do. Especially if I'm wearing any rings on my right hand - it fecking well hurts!!!!

letter - I am using that language to describe handshakes I get from men and women that are weak, limp and pathetic. It was not gender specific.

I have had a bone crusher from a woman, that was equally unpleasant and inappropriate. Actually had to rub my hand after it.

if I had daughters I would also teach them to shake hands properly.

I'm a squash player and we have to shake hands after every match - you're right, limp handshakes are ridiculous

Oh I had a bone crusher from a woman, but she was trying to deliberately put me in my place. I stared her down without flinching. She doesn't dare come near me anymore.

I have also had hands proffered to me in the manner of expecting them to be kissed. On quite a few occasions. [dares not say if these were from men or women to avoid sexist accusations] I guess people are just not taught how to do it these days.

Oh I've had that, I just grab them with both my hands, one underneath their hand, and one on top, and give them a cheery grin. Baffles them!

I could have written your OP, OP!

Although, having made someone one do his "man" handshake on me, that was crap too, so perhaps the issue is that people don't know how to shake hands anymore?

I find that when a man is trying to "woman" me, he actually takes my hand rather than just giving it a limp shake.

IMO a limp handshake SCREAMS insincerity and I find it hard to get past when we're months later discussing said person and I'm still harping on about their limp handshake.

I live in the US where handshaking and introductions happen far more. I even see people teaching kids and teens as it is expected that they will know.

Can't remember anything other than a decent firm shake.

Maybe it should be part of the national curriculum.

Yanbu, it's a while since I've had to shake hands with anyone but a poor, limp handshake makes me shudder.

YY kick, I think it should.

Oh I HATE those weak and feeble handshakes. Do it properly or don't bother.

It makes me want to say to them "WHY do you offer your hand when you know how RUBBISH your hand shake is??!!"

Funny how the limp ones are often the ones to offer their hands for the shake...

I hate weak handshakes! They need to be firm, but not violent!

One of my sisters has a weak handshake, as does one of my brother's friends, they shook hands and apparently it was a disaster as they were sort of just gently flopping their hands together

LOL tmae

I can't stand limp handshakes either. I now shake with the right, and with my left hand pat the persons hand as if to keep it there iygwim.

I got one of the limpest handshakes I've ever had this morning from another woman - in fact, it was so limp and so quick I questioned whether or not we had actually shaken hands, or if I had mistakenly momentarily held her hand.

Cant stand handshakes. Dont know where the other person's hand has been!

I hate limp handshakes. I always imagine the person is actually too germ-phobic for my liking.

I also hate the handshake that uses the other hand to hold yours in place. Smacks of a massive attempt to dominate (IMO).

I hate all handshakes. And kisses on cheeks.

But if I have to suffer a wet rag handshake - I will always provide a (more than a bit) firm one in return.

I recently had an interview for a university with 2 men. As i entered i held my hand out to shake their hands and said 'nice to meet you etc'. Honestly they looked visibly shocked and surprised that i did that.

I was one of the older people applying and surrounded by 18 year olds so i do wonder if people are being brought up not knowing that it happens?

Im also convinced that my handshake is what secured me the place on the uber competitive course as my interview was abysmal!