Shaking Hands

G'day Bro Jo,

This looks more ridiculous than it is, so bear with me.

Anyway, my question is:  what's the best way to greet a girl / lady the first time you meet her?

I mean this across the board- young to old, single to grandma.

It just seems awkward to me- when it's a bloke, you shake hands. That's long established practice in most of the western world.

But what about the girls?

I mean, if it's a relative you might give them a kiss and if it's a friend of a friend or you meet them at a dance you might give them a hug, but what about the others?

My calling means I have to introduce myself to a lot of the ward members (I'm only 18 if that helps), and a handshake feels weird, but nothing feels weirder.

Thanks for your help,

The Speaker




Dear The,

For the most part, it's the same: you say hello, offer your name, and (if not offered) ask hers.

Only offer to shake hands if the setting and culture would find it appropriate. (For example, in business settings in America you should not offer your hand to someone interviewing you unless they offer there’s first.)

I think in your particular situation, a hand shake offered to a girl is very acceptable.

A handshake should be firm but not crushing.

In my generation we believed that when taking a woman's hand you should turn yours slightly so the hers in on top of yours; it's considered a sign of acknowledging that she should be held "above" you.

But I’m an old fashioned guy.

- Bro Jo