(Bk Business) Carol Kinsey Goman Ph.D.-The Nonverbal Advantage_ Secrets and Science of Body Language at Work -Berrett-Koehler Publishers (2008)

Chapter 8: The Power of Touch
137
TRY THIS
Start paying attention to the amount of touching that is
acceptable in your organization’s culture. Notice who the
touchers are and the positive or negative responses they get.
Be aware of people coming into your workspace or office
who touch or lean on objects there—and notice your own
reaction to their displays of familiarity. You may be amazed to
discover how much touch plays a part in your daily work life!
Handshakes
Hand gestures as greetings originated in our early prehistory—perhaps
to show that no weapons were carried. Today
the North American handshake is the universally understood
business greeting. The handshake is the most formal and least
personal of the touch gestures, but it has great importance,
especially in initial interactions and after long absences.
Physical touch and warmth are established through the
handshaking tradition, and this tactile contact makes a lasting
impression. It may well be what someone remembers
most about meeting you. The thing to keep in mind is that
the purpose of a handshake is to greet someone, say goodbye,
express congratulations, or signal agreement on a deal.
As such it should be perceived as warm, friendly, and sincere.
Handshakes can be described by the nature of the grip,
the pressure of the grip, the number of times one pumps the
other’s hand, and even how far apart people stand when they
shake hands.