The Definitive Book of Body Language

The Definitive Book of Body Language

In the above picture, Bush leans in to deliver the Upper Hand
from the left side of the photograph. Bush is dressed like an
Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief and Blair is dressed like
an English schoolboy meeting the headmaster. Bush has his
feet firmly planted together on the ground and is using a Back
Hold to control Blair. Bush regularly jockeys for the position
left-of-picture, allowing him to be perceived as dominant and
to look as if he were calling the shots.

The Solution

To avoid losing power if you inadvertently find yourself on the
right-of-picture, extend your arm early as you approach from
a distance as this forces the other person to face you straight
on to shake hands. This lets you keep the handshake on an
equal basis. If photos or video are being shot, always approach
the other person so you occupy the left-of-picture position. At
worst, use a Double-Hander to give yourself an equal footing.

The World's Eight Worst Handshakes

Here are eight of the world's most annoying and disliked
handshakes and their variations. Avoid them at all times:

1.The Wet Fish
Credibility Rating: 1/10.
Few greetings are as uninviting as the Wet Fish, particularly
when the hand is cold or clammy. The soft, placid feel of the
Wet Fish makes it universally unpopular and most people
associate it with weak character, mainly because of the ease
with which the palm can be turned over. It is read by the
receiver as a lack of commitment to the encounter, but there
may be cultural or other implications - in some Asian and
African cultures a limp handshake is the norm and a firm
handshake can be seen as offensive. Also, one in twenty people