Weird Handshake

347Gigi
347Gigi Posts: 99 Member
in Chit-Chat
Monday night I had a meeting with several business associates. Most of them I have met in person, but a couple of them only on the phone. Before dinner we all shook hands as usual. During the "handshaking round" one of the men who I had not met in person, grasped my hand and shook it -not up and down like a normal handshake- but vigorously back and forth for at least 8 or 9 seconds. It seemed quite insulting. Am I over reacting? Any ideas?
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Replies

  • 115s
    115s Posts: 344 Member
    This a serious post?
  • 347Gigi
    347Gigi Posts: 99 Member
    Yes. In all of the years I have been in business nothing like this has happened.
  • branflakes1980
    branflakes1980 Posts: 2,516 Member
    :huh:
  • 347Gigi
    347Gigi Posts: 99 Member
    I acted as if nothing happened that night but I'm not positive about how to deal with this person in the future.
  • Joannah700
    Joannah700 Posts: 2,665 Member
    That is an unusual handshake but I would like to think it wasn't meant to be insulting.

    Did the person have another cultural background?
  • csuhar
    csuhar Posts: 779 Member
    Hard to say. He might just be peculiar like that and have an odd way of shaking hands. He might be trying to be goofy / funny. Or he could be a jerk who was trying to get a rise out of you and playing a dominance game to show he can make you do something unorthodox on a whim.

    In any case, at this point, I'd just make a small mental note of it but generally leave it in the past until he does it again, at which point you could ask "what is with the peculiar handshake?".
  • 347Gigi
    347Gigi Posts: 99 Member
    He doesn't have a different cultural background. I check on that sort of thing before meetings, just in case.
  • sixout
    sixout Posts: 3,128 Member
    Hey may be in a gang. You should probably report it to your local authorities.
  • 347Gigi
    347Gigi Posts: 99 Member
    Hard to say. He might just be peculiar like that and have an odd way of shaking hands. He might be trying to be goofy / funny. Or he could be a jerk who was trying to get a rise out of you and playing a dominance game to show he can make you do something unorthodox on a whim.

    In any case, at this point, I'd just make a small mental note of it but generally leave it in the past until he does it again, at which point you could ask "what is with the peculiar handshake?".

    This sounds good. I will be wary but not take this "first offense" to heart.
  • 347Gigi
    347Gigi Posts: 99 Member
    Hey may be in a gang. You should probably report it to your local authorities.

    I think I'll wait until I find spray paint or a gang symbol on my office or car before I report the incident to the authorities.
  • spade117
    spade117 Posts: 2,466 Member
    Hey may be in a gang. You should probably report it to your local authorities.

    I think I'll wait until I find spray paint or a gang symbol on my office or car before I report the incident to the authorities.

    Could be too late by then.

    You may even be part of the gang now yourself. Perhaps the handshake was your initiation?
  • sixout
    sixout Posts: 3,128 Member
    Perhaps he was just trying to initiate a good old-fashioned Dutch Rudder. You know, to really seal the deal.
  • 347Gigi
    347Gigi Posts: 99 Member
    Spade117- That was a pretty easy initiation..
    sixout- "Dutch Rudder" sounds frightening
  • sixout
    sixout Posts: 3,128 Member
    It's not gay, so you should be alright.
  • 347Gigi
    347Gigi Posts: 99 Member
    Ah.. good to know
  • diespel
    diespel Posts: 700
    next time you go to shake hands, grasp his wrist with your free hand. Imposes dominance and you can keep the damn thing still
  • miss_jessiejane
    miss_jessiejane Posts: 2,819 Member
    Next time just go in for a full body hug and whisper "You smell different when you're awake." He shouldn't give you any more problems.
  • diespel
    diespel Posts: 700
    Next time just go in for a full body hug and whisper "You smell different when you're awake." He shouldn't give you any more problems.

    LMAO so loud it brought in my colleague from the next door office
  • shireeniebeanie
    shireeniebeanie Posts: 293 Member
    Next time just go in for a full body hug and whisper "You smell different when you're awake." He shouldn't give you any more problems.

    LMAO so loud it brought in my colleague from the next door office

    Same here!

    In for the gifs.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Monday night I had a meeting with several business associates. Most of them I have met in person, but a couple of them only on the phone. Before dinner we all shook hands as usual. During the "handshaking round" one of the men who I had not met in person, grasped my hand and shook it -not up and down like a normal handshake- but vigorously back and forth for at least 8 or 9 seconds. It seemed quite insulting. Am I over reacting? Any ideas?

    :huh:

    Yes. You are overreacting...by a lot.
  • GiGiBeans
    GiGiBeans Posts: 1,062 Member
    Next time just go in for a full body hug and whisper "You smell different when you're awake." He shouldn't give you any more problems.

    Just spewed coffee out my nose. Thanks. Thanks a lot.
  • spectralmoon
    spectralmoon Posts: 1,179 Member
    Monday night I had a meeting with several business associates. Most of them I have met in person, but a couple of them only on the phone. Before dinner we all shook hands as usual. During the "handshaking round" one of the men who I had not met in person, grasped my hand and shook it -not up and down like a normal handshake- but vigorously back and forth for at least 8 or 9 seconds. It seemed quite insulting. Am I over reacting? Any ideas?

    :huh:

    Yes. You are overreacting...by a lot.

    Seriously. He prob just wants to test your gaming reflexes.
  • 115s
    115s Posts: 344 Member
    Yes. In all of the years I have been in business nothing like this has happened.
    Add it as a first to your book and put in a note that says anything is possible :)
  • Unknown
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  • trinatrina1984
    trinatrina1984 Posts: 1,018 Member
    I love all of this
  • SuperVixen2B
    SuperVixen2B Posts: 218 Member
    Next time just go in for a full body hug and whisper "You smell different when you're awake." He shouldn't give you any more problems.

    This legit made me chuckle out loud. I'm dying to do this to someone now...but not sure I've got the nerve to.
  • 347Gigi
    347Gigi Posts: 99 Member
    " next time you go to shake hands, grasp his wrist with your free hand. Imposes dominance and you can keep the damn thing still"

    Next time just go in for a full body hug and whisper "You smell different when you're awake." He shouldn't give you any more problems.

    I'm going to remember both of these and maybe try them at the same time.
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    Next time just go in for a full body hug and whisper "You smell different when you're awake." He shouldn't give you any more problems.

    Holy crap, something just came out of my nose because I had to cover my mouth to stifle the laughter!
  • wolverine66
    wolverine66 Posts: 3,779 Member
    Next time just go in for a full body hug and whisper "You smell different when you're awake." He shouldn't give you any more problems.

    tumblr_m3rtyerfHZ1qir45xo1_500.gif
  • 347Gigi
    347Gigi Posts: 99 Member
    ***UPDATE***
    Yesterday I had lunch with some colleagues and "Weird Handshake Guy" was there. When we met at the restaurant, the greetings started and "WHG" extended his hand with a smirk. I took his right hand with mine, grasped his wrist with my left hand and pulled him forward, stood on my toes then leaned up to his ear and said .."You smell different when you're awake" Then stood back. After a very brief pause, he BURST out laughing!!! I now have a great new business ally! Thank you MFP posters and especially miss_jessieja and diespel!

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