The Handshake
A Grasp Through Time

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Ah, the handshake—one of the world’s oldest and most famous greetings. It’s a move so classic, it's been used by everyone from business folks in suits to knights in shining armor. But how did this iconic palm-to-palm gesture get started?
The origins of the handshake date back thousands of years—long before hand sanitizer was a thing. Imagine you’re living in ancient times, and you’re not quite sure if the person approaching you is a friend or a foe. What’s the best way to show them you mean no harm? You reach out your empty hand, of course! It’s like saying, “Look, I’m not holding a weapon, let’s be friends instead of enemies.” It was an ancient way of calling a truce, and it worked!
But that’s not all! In ancient Greece, a handshake was a sign of trust and respect. It wasn’t just a friendly greeting—it was more like a contract. When people shook hands, it meant, "I’m giving you my word, and my word is good." And if a statue from around the 5th century BCE is anything to go by, the handshake was even used in big-time deals—proof that this simple gesture has always been about sealing the deal.
By the time the medieval era rolled around, knights had taken the handshake to the next level. They didn’t just shake hands for peace—they also used it to literally "shake out" any hidden daggers. Because, let’s face it, trust issues were real back then!
The handshake evolved over the years and eventually became a symbol of politeness and equality. It was adopted by the Quakers in the 17th century as a way of greeting everyone equally—no fancy bows, no curtsies, just a good old handshake that said, "We’re all on the same level here." Thanks to the Quakers, the handshake became more popular and accessible for everyday use.
And now, in modern times, handshakes are everywhere. Job interviews? Handshake. Closing a deal? Handshake. Running into an old friend? You got it—handshake. It's a universal gesture of goodwill, a way to show you’re open, trustworthy, and ready to connect (literally!). Sure, we’ve adapted to new ways of greeting—like fist bumps and elbow taps—but the handshake is still the classic that says, "Hey, we're in this together."


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