Handshake rules?

[Dr panda]

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Hello everyone. This might be a really weird question but still. So, I am from a country with a specific business ethics that states that when two persons meet each other for a business conversation/interview/whatever they obviously shall give each other a handshake. However, if the person you are meeting with is higher in rank than you, he/she must give you a hand first (in more conservative areas this also applies if you meet with someone older than you). It is deeply unethical if you are, lets say, a warehouse worker and you meet with your regional VP who comes with an inspection and wishes to talk to you, and you give him/her your hand first. That might sound weird but how this works in America especially in regard to med schools interviews?
Thanks.

 

[Tenk]

Doesn’t work like that here...

We fist bump.

 

[TheDataKing]

Doesn’t work like that here...

We fist bump.

sometimes we even throw in an elbow bump for fun measure

 

[and 99 others]

Doesn’t work like that here...

We fist bump.

sometimes we even throw in an elbow bump for fun measure

Really? I've been bowing my head in deference and kissing my interviewer's hand this whole time.

 

[LizzyM]

This was also a rule in the US in the 1940s-50s. Furthermore, a man would not offer his hand to a woman; the woman would be the one to initiate a handshake or not.

Most people these days don't know or care about such rules. That said, when you are interviewing, you will be the one with the lesser power and you can safely wait to be offered the interviewer's hand and the interview will initiate the handshake.

 

[deleted480308]

This was also a rule in the US in the 1940s-50s. Furthermore, a man would not offer his hand to a woman; the woman whould be the one to initiate a handshake or not.

Most people these days don't know or care about such rules. That said, when you are interviewing, you will be the one with the lesser power and you can safely wait to be offered the interviewer's hand and the interview will initiate the handshake.

In my niche of southern culture it used to be the “rule” that when you met a couple (as a man) that you greeted the man first with a handshake and they were supposed to then introduce the woman with them who would then set the tone as to if she wanted a handshake or not. I guess I hadn’t really thought about it in awhile but I still usually greet the male first as a matter of habit/learned respect.

Kind of like standing when a woman leaves/approaches a dinner table it is a dying nicety

 

[deleted1001426]

Here in the us the handshake is a power move. Reach out, grab their hand, lock eyes, squeeze until they grimace in pain , shake furiously like you’re trying to dislocate their shoulder and do not let go. At the end of the encounter who ever releases first loses

Bonus points if you go for the double handed shake

 

[NewBalancePremed]

Just go in for the clean dap into a pat on the back for the automatic acceptance

 

[FutureInternist]

Here in the us the handshake is a power move. Reach out, grab their hand, lock eyes, squeeze until they grimace in pain , shake furiously like you’re trying to dislocate their shoulder and do not let go. At the end of the encounter who ever releases first loses

Bonus points if you go for the double handed shake

That’s called “The Trump”

I always offer my hand regardless of any perceived power dynamics... exception is females that are outwardly Muslim (Hijab etc), in which case I ask if they shake hands with males or not

Also, male/female shouldn’t matter - just start with whomever (??whoever) is closest to you and work your way down the line

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I just offer my hand unless it’s a woman. Then I wait for her to offer because it’s not always obvious if a woman is part of a culture where they don’t shake hands/touch men socially like that. I’m male btw.

In the Navy we actually have customs and courtesies about this kind of stuff, but with civilians I just go for it.

 

[aldol16]

There's a special protocol for med school interviews. It's the 6-step rule:

1) Approach the victim slowly, making sure to lock eyes as you do so.
2) Maintain the stare down, intimidating the victim. Some students earn instant admission at this stage if successful.
3) Slowly extend your dominant hand.
4) As the victim takes your hand, immediately curl your fingers and tickle their palm.
5) Extend your non-dominant hand and tickle the inside of their elbow.
6) Break the handshake.

 

[Dr panda]

There's a special protocol for med school interviews. It's the 6-step rule:

1) Approach the victim slowly, making sure to lock eyes as you do so.
2) Maintain the stare down, intimidating the victim. Some students earn instant admission at this stage if successful.
3) Slowly extend your dominant hand.
4) As the victim takes your hand, immediately curl your fingers and tickle their palm.
5) Extend your non-dominant hand and tickle the inside of their elbow.
6) Break the handshake.

Is it a med school interviewer hunting tactic?

 

[Andrew Baines Bernard]

What I typically do is email adcoms ahead of time and attach a detailed illustration of a 12-step secret handshake so you can both practice for interview day. It shows creativity and professional courtesy.