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Kathleen D. Pagana, PhD, RN
ASK THE ETIQUETTE DOCTOR
The Importance of a Good, Strong Handshake
Not too firm, not too limp — what does yours say about you?
DEAR KATHY:
When I told a colleague
about an upcoming inter-
view, she politely told me that I needed to improve my handshake. Do handshakes really matter?
— HANDSHAKE HARRIET
DEAR HARRIET:
Yes, they do. You want to present a confident and firm handshake. Those few seconds of "shaking" can weaken or empower a relationship. Some tips:
• Extend your right hand horizontally with your thumb up.
• Engage the person's hand web-to-web with a firm grip. The web between your thumb and index finger should be touching the other person's web.
• Look the person you're shaking hands with in the eye.
• Handshake grip should be no harder than the strength that you'd use to hold a door handle.
• Shake 2 or 3 times, and drop your hand.
DEAR KATHY:
I'm confused by the alphabet soup that many nurses use after their names for their academic and certification credentials. What do you suggest? — ALPHABET ANNIE
FIRM IT UP Bad
handshakes leave
bad first impressions.