Why do women tend to give weak handshakes on interviews?

[WhereAmI]

Recently got asked after working for my company for a few years to do an interview with new college hires and I noticed just about all the women had a really weak handshake by just holding out their fingers as if I they hated to do so or somehow wanted me to kiss their hand like they were a princess.

What's up with that? A weak handshake is not good for an interview.

[CityBoy773]

Personally, I was never taught how to give a proper handshake until I reintroduced myself as male to my family. Then everyone suddenly decided that knowing how to properly shake someones hand was necessary for me to know, so I was taught.

Honestly, I think it's cause people expect women to not be giving firm handshakes for whatever idiotic reasons and it's "not ladylike", or some other stupid phrase, to give a nice grip and shake it like you aren't afraid to contract something.

[genericname85]

it´s not girls only. a lot of guys do it too! just holding their hands out and you feel like they´re handing you a dead limb instead of shaking your hand.

[WhereAmI]

Can't say I've ever met a guy in an interview with a limp handshake before. lol

[genericname85]

well not in that special occasion xD

[523206720]

They don't want to seem too aggressive because society shuns aggressive woman. Many people prefer woman with no confidence to woman who are able to set clear and concise character traits to others.

[WhereAmI]

I never thought of a handshake as being too aggressive, especially in an interview. I've met some guys who shake your hand a little harder than necessary, but never any women. I will admit that of those woman that gave me a regular handshake that they seemed to protrude the most confidence.

[complicated_soul]

I do that as I don't want to shake their hands due to religious purposes.

And also because of nervousness.

Lol, I liked your description.😊

[VL462]

Just say you're weak. Lol religious purposes, I got that a lot for various BS occassions.

[WhereAmI]

@VL462 oh, geez. 😂

[Bards]

Maybe the ones you met were nervous or shy?
Don't generalize.

[WhereAmI]

Hard to say, actually because they seemed not to act nervous and I've interviewed over 20 people this last year alone, 8 being female with only 2 who had a regular decent handshake.

[Anonymous]

I don't know, I always try to give a firm handshake for interviews/work-related stuff. What I notice is that some guys just clasp my hand lightly though, so then I have to re-adjust for that.

[CountVronsky]

Maybe those women like to take care of their hands. Other than that, I can only think of how unnecessary the whole shaking hands business is, and how dumb it sounds when people ask questions like this one.

[WhereAmI]

Handshaking is common practice in most any interview and is used to help gauge a person's interest. Sounds like you haven't been on too many.

[nileve]

they won't know importnant is a hand shake I have shaking men;s hands and so far weak hand shake

[WhereAmI]

I'm kind of surprised you get weak handshakes from guys. When I shake a woman's hand I won't shake it as hard as a guy's and they should be able to know how to lightly but firmly shake a woman's hand. Almost seems like it's a behavior that's never taught to some people.

[nileve]

it's ironic because I have come across agressive women or bold women I have had the chance to shake their hands , hand shake is weak I Have also shake hands with 80 year old men and weak handshake

my grandmother always tells me give a strong hand shake and give eye contact at all times

I give but dont recieve that everytime

[VL462]

I always like to give firm handshake. It's business etiquette, and I don't understand why anyone would oppose to such way of showing respect for other people.

[GnarCute]

umm because maybe we dont have much grip power or are gentle

[Anonymous]

They clearly made the wrong choice in having you conduct interviews if the handshake bothers you that much...

[WhereAmI]

I disagree. A weak handshake appears to show a lack of enthusiasm. Why would it bother me when I'm trying to be objective? I ask because I'm trying to understand what they're thinking. It's also one thing to hold out your hand for a normal handshake, but it's another when just 4 fingers with the thumb tucked in is used.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure you just wanted to fuck every girl you interviewed. Typical guy

[WhereAmI]

How does that even relate to what I'm asking? Do you think any guy that shakes your hand in an interview wants to screw you? If you do, I pity you.

[Opinion Owner]

No I think any guy wants to fuck any young girl they see

[Anonymous]

Women are weak, both in body and spirit. No surprise there.

[Lady7]

I wonder the same thing!! LOL

[Lady7]

Everytime i shake hands with females they always say "ouch that hurts" or "ouch thats too firm" like the hell girl? Every guy that i hand shake with always compliments me for my handshake.

[Gedaria]

It's called being polite...

[WhereAmI]

How so? Its common business etiquette to shake someone's hand in an interview. You can always wash it afterwards if it bothers you.

[Gedaria]

Weak handshake, was the question. Women do hand shake a lot lighter, than men. It's not a contest on who can grip the hardest. But for women , a hand shake is more preferred than a hung with a strange man...

[WhereAmI]

A weak handshake should not be limp.