How do you feel when someone refuses to shake hands with you?

Question

It was really awkward.  How do you feel in such situations?

curiousnorway · Accepted Answer

It really depends. If it's conservative people, examples strictly religious that refuses to shake hands because of sexism and because it's the opposite gender they meets, then I finds it silly and too old fashioned. I think it's a bit offensive not hand shaking on the opposite gender because of sexist reasons.

If there's people who aren't comfortable doing handshake because they don't like to touch strangers, then it's okay. As long they don't refuse because they're discriminating based on gender, race, ethnicity etc. I won't get offended. I don't like to touch strangers either. Often because they're sweating and invading my personal space. I don't treat everyone equal. My family is closer to me than a stranger.

I'm okay with people handshaking with their left hand instead of the right one if they're left-handed, their right-hand lacks/don't work and if they can't see the difference between the right and left one. If it's conservatives, then they should off course try to handshake with the right one since they often have a culture saying that when you're doing it with the left one, it's because of you wanting to disrespectful someone and be impolite. It's not a good intention.

Some conservatives from certain continents also have a culture where they don't have so good hand hygiene, therefor they're handshaking, eating and writing with the right-hand, but using the other hand for the bathroom. Another reason conservatives should try to use their right-hand.

OlderAndWiser · Accepted Answer

If someone doesn't want to shake my hand, I assume that they have some social hangups and I don't worry about it. How do you access the caption feature?

Angelina25 · Accepted Answer

I'm more into the hug type of person. A brief, hug is better I guess.
Those handshakes are more into the formal line. I don't know why someone would reject a handshake? The only reason I can come up with is orthodox, or perhaps your/his hands were dirty lol

BellaIsQueen · Accepted Answer

I rarely shake hands lol so I don't know. Never experienced rejection in this area yet.

I agree the caption feature is a bit annoying. Same thing happened when I was trying to post my question. At first I didn't even get what was going on.

YourFutureEx · Answer

Thanks for A2A!

Well, it was a "she" and you know what, girls are generally reluctant to shake hands with the people they don't meet often. She used her left hand because she has probably moved her body (as you were leaving) but didn't expect a handshake in the end, leaving her right hand in an uncomfortable position and the whole situation was awkward for her so, she used her left hand because it was easier to reach.

Anyway, the body language tells us a lot about the person. How much is s/he interested in the person and involved in the conversation. A flimsy handshake kills your first Impression immediately.

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If someone did that to me, I'd take it as either they have a weak personality or the person is not really comfortable with me yet.

Sara0607 · Answer

Who refused your handshake?😂
Yes it really is very awkward!
It has happened to me some times
I feel sad at first but then I laugh it out... Mujhe bhi nahi padi handshake ki, Nahi Karna na Kar😂
I feel those kinds of people are very high headed and impolite, so i don't talk to them afterwards unless important!😛

Anonymous · Answer

I'm not offended. For all I know they could have an autoimmune disease and have to be extra careful about cleanliness and germs and human hands aren't exactly the most clean. And its not that they think you're gross, but we touch lots of things without thinking their a threat, meanwhile to someone with an autoimmune disease, it is a threat.

TheOnlyAriii · Answer

I have a friend who can't tolerate the idea of sharing germs 😂 so its cool, I just assume everyone is

Tomblebee · Answer

She used the wrong damn hand? Budding romance definetely.

Goddess_Gag18 · Answer

I will usually throw a kiss instead unless it is business.

Decentguy · Answer

Never happened to me before, but a lot of times when offer to shake hands, people often dont see me, and left me hanging there, which is more awkward, lol

LilytheHorcrux · Answer

I never offer my hand to shake whenever I introduce myself so... but if it were to happen to me, I'd probably awkwardly laugh it off while calling this person a bitch in my head

ibodi · Answer

I never use it first but I had ever rejected one. It is strange feeling but I think it is fake manner. But I have to do it with westerners. Cause it is their habit.

nbbn5 · Answer

Happened only once , maybe they never saw loll Otherwise Never happens with they hey always do

CubsterShura · Answer

I don't shake hands with everyone. Somehow the guys always understand it by themselves and it's fine cause many girls don't.

hitMe99 · Answer

Usually a little amused, because I'm thinking.. "What high horse did you climb off before this failed attempt at a social interaction"

alinakhanx0x · Answer

Just shrug it off.  By sarcastically insulting them 😂

DizzyDesii · Answer

They wouldve gotten offended when i pulled out the germex afterwards anyway

Whatthefluff · Answer

I've never experienced this before, but I'd probably shake it off

LegateLanius · Answer

I roll with it. When I offer my hand to shake, my coworkers instead offered their fist to bump. I was confused for a moment.

BeenShook · Answer

I immediately loose all respect for them and view their entire life and every action they take as a pitiful joke

LadyJade007 · Answer

I’d feel awkward and embarrassed but that never happened to me thankfully

Aparnam · Answer

Shaking hands in itself is so nerve wrecking. I would never offer to do it myself

Midhat · Answer

I'm socially awkward so this is a walk in the park for me

Walkerrose · Answer

Go hug the person next time :p

F7777 · Answer

I think they are either sick or psychologically ill

Penelope_ · Answer

That’s never happened to me but i’d be really upset

LeaLee · Answer

I only shake hands when they first give theirs

valualty · Answer

I usually refuse hand shakes

Aguysopinion4799 · Answer

awkward and betrayed XD

bacca400 · Answer

That's fine. They might have germophobia.

CarpetDenim · Answer

No one has ever refused to shake my head

omgjassy · Answer

That’s so strange, your question and update

fauchelevent · Answer

I'd be very surprised, it'd be super awkward.

Hariss98 · Answer

Feel like kicking that asshole

CT_CD · Answer

Sad...

Demised · Answer

Weird.

How do you feel when someone refuses to shake hands with you?

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