What is the purpose of shaking hands?

Purpose of shaking hands? Trust and peace origins

Understanding the purpose of shaking hands improves social confidence and professional networking outcomes. This universal gesture facilitates trust and signals peaceful intentions between parties in various environments. Recognizing the historical and psychological significance of handshakes helps individuals navigate complex social rituals. Learn the diverse benefits of this traditional greeting to enhance your interactions.

What Is the Purpose of Shaking Hands?

The purpose of shaking hands can be understood in several layers. A handshake is a universal, non-verbal gesture primarily used to establish trust, signal friendly intentions, and cement agreements - but its meaning depends on context. It can express respect, equality, cooperation, and even subtle psychological cues in social or business settings.

At its core, shaking hands is about connection. In a matter of seconds, two people communicate peaceful intent, openness, and mutual acknowledgment. That brief physical contact often shapes first impressions more than we realize. And there is one subtle psychological factor most people overlook - I will come back to it in the section on chemical communication below.

The Historical Purpose of Shaking Hands

Historically, the purpose of shaking hands was to signal peaceful intent. When someone extended their right hand, they were showing it was free of weapons. In uncertain times, that mattered. A lot.

Over centuries, this practical gesture evolved into a symbol of equality. The Quakers, for example, adopted the handshake as an alternative to bowing or curtsying, reinforcing the idea that no person was socially superior. That shift - from survival signal to social statement - changed how the gesture was perceived. Rarely does a simple motion carry such layered meaning.

How Shaking Hands Builds Trust and Rapport

One major purpose of shaking hands is building trust. Physical contact, even brief, can trigger the release of oxytocin - often called the bonding hormone - which supports feelings of connection and cooperation between people.

Oxytocin levels can rise during positive social touch, which helps lower stress responses and increases social bonding.^[1] Chemically it matters. In negotiations and job interviews, this subtle biological response can influence how open and collaborative people feel. I used to think a handshake was just etiquette. Then I noticed how meetings felt different when one was absent - colder, slightly guarded, almost mechanical.

Lets be honest - you can feel the difference. A warm, confident handshake creates ease. A limp one? Awkward.

Sealing Agreements and Demonstrating Equality

Another key purpose of shaking hands is sealing agreements. Long before written contracts became standard, a handshake symbolized commitment. Even today, in business or diplomacy, it often marks the conclusion of a deal or understanding.

In professional settings, handshake etiquette in business plays a powerful role. Research on first impressions suggests people form judgments within a tenth of a second of meeting someone, and physical cues like posture and handshake firmness heavily influence that snap evaluation.^[2] That window is short. Very short. In that moment, confidence, respect, and equality are communicated without a single word.

The Psychology and Chemical Communication Behind Handshakes

Beyond social symbolism, the psychology of handshakes includes a fascinating evolutionary layer. Some researchers suggest that handshakes allow subtle transfer of chemosignals - scent-based chemical cues that humans process subconsciously.

Here is the factor I mentioned earlier: after shaking hands, people often bring their hand closer to their face without realizing it. Studies observing this behavior found that individuals increase hand-to-face contact by more than 100% following a handshake, potentially sampling scent cues.^[3] We are not consciously smelling each other like animals - at least we think we are not - but the brain may still register information related to health or emotional state. Counterintuitive, right?

When I first read about this, I was skeptical. It sounded far-fetched. But watching recordings of people subtly touching their face after greetings made me pause. There is more happening beneath awareness than we assume.

Cultural and Contextual Considerations

The purpose of shaking hands is not universal in every culture. In some societies, bowing is preferred. In others, physical contact between genders may be inappropriate. Context changes everything.

Hygiene also matters. During recent global health crises, alternatives such as fist bumps and elbow bumps became more common because hand contact can transmit bacteria and viruses. In reality, many people became more aware of how frequently they touch their face - often dozens of times per hour - which increases transmission risk after physical greetings. That awareness slightly reshaped social norms.

But does that eliminate the handshake? Not entirely. It adapts.

Types of Handshakes and What They Communicate

Different styles communicate different signals: Firm handshake: Confidence, assurance, and professionalism. Limp handshake: Often interpreted as uncertainty or low engagement. Overly strong grip: Can signal dominance or aggression. Two-handed handshake: Warmth or emphasis, sometimes used in politics. Meaning is contextual. Always.

Handshake vs Alternative Greetings

Traditional Handshake

• Widely accepted in business negotiations and formal introductions

• May increase oxytocin and enhance cooperation

• Signals trust, equality, and agreement through brief physical contact

Fist or Elbow Bump

• Lower direct palm-to-palm contact, often preferred during health concerns

• Less formal but still conveys openness

• Maintains friendly acknowledgment with reduced skin contact

Business Negotiation in Chicago: The Power of a First Impression

Mark, a 34-year-old project manager in Chicago, was preparing for a partnership meeting with a new client. He worried about making the right first impression and overthought every detail - even how firmly to shake hands.

At first, he gripped too tightly during practice sessions with colleagues. One friend winced and laughed, telling him he looked nervous. Minh felt embarrassed and nearly decided to skip the handshake entirely.

Instead, he adjusted. He practiced a balanced, steady grip and focused on eye contact and posture. He reminded himself that the handshake was not about dominance but mutual respect.

During the actual meeting, the greeting felt natural. The conversation flowed more smoothly than he expected, and the partnership moved forward within two weeks. Mark later said that small moment of connection reduced his own anxiety more than anything else.