Hands-+Handshaking

=**Handshaking**=

Handshaking differences can make for some embarrassing and humorous cultural encounters. British, Australian, New Zealander, German, American colleagues will usually shake hands on meeting, and again on departure. Most European cultures will shake hands with each other several times a day. Indian, Asian and Arabic cultures may continue to hold your hand when the handshake has ended. Germans and French give one or two firm pumps followed by a short hold, whereas Brits give three to five pumps compared with an American's five to seven pumps. To the Americans, the Germans, with their single pump, seem distant. To the Germans however, the Americans pump hands as if they are blowing up an airbed. In general, Muslims avoid shaking hands with the opposite sex.

Hand Gestures
Scenario--You signal O.K. by making an "O" with your thumb and forefinger to a student who has done a good job. Your 4th grade newcomer from Brazil looks very shocked. Response--This typical American sign for O.K. is recognized in most of the world. However, it is very rude in a handful of countries. Brazil and Russia are two of the countries where the gesture is considered to be obscene.

=== Left Hand, Right Hand === Scenario--You notice that an Indian child in your classroom refuses to take a sheet of paper from a classmate. This isn't the first time that this has occurred.

Response--The student is probably handing the paper with her left hand. In many cultures the left hand is seen as "unclean". You don't hand people objects with your left hand.

**Left hand right hand** - A very important, yet subtle, factor in India is avoiding the use of your left hand when interacting with others. In India, you use your left hand to clean yourself after using the toilet so it has extremely negative associations. ALWAYS give and receive anything with your right hand, or at least with both hands together. If you give change, accept something, or eat something with your left hand, it will be noticed, though politely not commented on. Using your right hand only is one of the easiest things for Westerners to forget to do, but it makes a difference. A friend who has been coming to India for more than a decade, but only recently made it a point to only use his right hand, said he really noticed how much people appreciated him making an attempt. It may mean a bit of extra effort at first, but it will be appreciated, and will soon become automatic. Even if you are left handed, try and adjust as much as possible.