On the topic of the perfect handshake, raised by Adrian Chiles (After decades of trial and error, I think I’ve nailed the perfect handshake, 11 September), I long ago adopted the technique of tensing the fingers in my hand, to make it as solid as possible, but not doing too much in the way of gripping or squeezing. This works well, I think. If your adversary puts forth their hand, they won’t encounter a wet fish, but equally you won’t be trying to squeeze the life out of theirs.
I agree that handshakes are perilous though. What about when your assailant starts squeezing before being properly engaged, capturing ones fingers in a vice? Best advice I can give is to jab one’s hand out rapidly so that the skin between thumb and first finger of both parties touches. Only then should squeezing start. Do so gently, keeping the hand solid throughout. Squeezing before properly engaging ought to be considered the height of rudeness.
There is, though, one other problem that Mr Chiles did not mention, that of the lateral handshake. Although (thankfully) only rarely encountered, this is where the direction of shaking is left-right, not up-down. Yes, indeed, that’s not the protocol, but I challenge you to shake our Uncle Jeff’s hand in any other way. I’ve consulted the other men in our wider family, and none of us has figured out how to make the shake go in the right direction. Attempt it and you’ll find the shake becoming a circle, which is most disconcerting.
Dan Haywood
Welland, Worcestershire
• Since Covid I have stopped shaking hands with anyone, and feel much relieved about it. I find it an annoying and unnecessary ritual.
Jennifer Speirs
Edinburgh
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