London - Can you make people like you with just a handshake?
Sabine Koch, from the University of Heidelberg, says you might be able to.
She trained a group to shake people’s hands in one of two ways. Some learnt how to shake hands in a smooth flowing way while others were shown how to produce more sharp up-and-down movements.
This team then shook the hands of almost 50 participants.
After each shake, Koch asked participants how they felt.
Compared with those subjected to the spiky handshakes, those who had been subjected to the smooth handshake were happier, felt closer to the person and rated the handshaker as more likeable and open.
The smooth handshake had made participants behave in a way associated with happiness. This in turn made them feel better and think more of the person they had met.
To replicate one of Koch’s “smooth” handshakes, hold someone’s hand and move your hand up and down in a slow flowing motion. At first the movements will appear artificial; however, with practice they will feel more natural.
Focus on recreating the smooth hand movement. Once you are confident, use your Koch-shaking abilities to create a good impression. – Daily Mail