Why shouldn't you shake with your left hand?

There are a few reasons why you shouldn’t shake with your left hand. One of the main reasons has to do with cultural norms and etiquette. In many cultures, particularly Western cultures, shaking with your right hand is seen as the proper and respectful way to greet someone when shaking hands. Shaking with your left hand can be seen as rude or disrespectful in certain contexts. Some other reasons include practical considerations related to dexterity and historical associations with left-handedness.

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Cultural Norms and Etiquette

Shaking right-handed is customary in many parts of the world. Offering your right hand when shaking hands is generally expected socially and in business settings. There are a few reasons this norm developed:

The right hand is dominant for most people. Approximately 90% of the global population is right-handed. Using your dominant hand shows strength and confidence.

Shaking with the right hand leaves the left hand free. Historically, this allowed people to show they were not holding a weapon while expressing trust and respect.
In religious contexts, the right hand is seen as cleaner and more pure than the left. This comes from ancient cultural associations linking left-handedness with evil or impurity.
Western etiquette traditions emphasize doing things the “proper” way. Shaking right-handed has become ingrained as a social norm.

Deviating from ingrained cultural standards can be seen as rude or odd. People may question why you are breaking with expected practice. Shaking left-handed in a social, business, or formal context risks causing discomfort or confusion. It may be taken as an insult in cultures where the left hand has very negative connotations.

Practical Considerations

Beyond culture and etiquette, shaking with the right hand has some practical advantages:

Most people’s right hand and arm are stronger and more dexterous. You can deliver a better handshake using your dominant hand.

Shaking left-handed often requires awkward maneuvering and contorting the arm. This may result in a weak or “floppy” handshake.
Shaking left-handed can surprise the other person and cause a clumsy handshake exchange.
In crowded contexts, shaking right-handed allows you to politely avoid bumping into people on your right side.

Using your adept right hand gives you control over delivering a solid, impressive handshake. This can help make a good first impression and show confidence in business or formal greetings. A weak, fumbling handshake with the left hand has the opposite effect.

Historical Associations

Throughout history, left-handedness has been seen in a negative light in many cultures. The Latin word for left is “sinistra,” which is where we get the English word “sinister.” Some historical associations with the left hand include:

Evil, witchcraft, or demonic connections

Deception, dishonesty, or clumsiness
Weakness and inability to control impulses
Social aberrance and nonconformity

While these prejudiced views are outdated, vestiges remain in language and culture. People may subconsciously view left-handed gestures as strange or improper through this ingrained historical lens. Shaking with your left hand can evoke these negative subtextual meanings.

When Left-Handed Shaking is Acceptable

While shaking with your right hand is preferable in most situations, there are some exceptions:

If your right hand is injured or disabled, it is understandable to shake left-handed.

If shaking several hands in a row at an event, you may alternate hands to spread the load.
If you are left-handed and shaking another left-handed person’s hand, using your natural dominant hand is expected.
In informal settings among close friends or family, left-handed shaking is usually fine.

The key is understanding cultural context and shaking with intention. Deliberately shaking left-handed in formal or business settings risks causing confusion or insult. But in casual settings or due to injury, left-handed shaking is perfectly acceptable. The important thing is making the other person comfortable with a respectful, culturally-attuned greeting.

Risk of Insult or Misinterpretation

One reason to avoid shaking left-handed in most situations is it risks conveying insult or misinterpretation:

May be seen as an “up yours” type of insult in Britain and Commonwealth nations, similar to giving the middle finger.

Could imply you think the person is unclean or untrustworthy if right-handed shaking is religiously mandated.
May be interpreted as a secret society handshake or sign you don’t want others to understand.
Could mistakenly indicate you are left-handed or have an injury/condition if you routinely shake left.

One of the worst outcomes is if your left-handed shake is unintentionally read as an insult. This can derail making positive first impressions and establishing new relationships. Avoiding awkward mix-ups is another reason to stick with the standard right-handed shake.

Situations Where Right-Handed Shaking is Expected

Here are some specific situations where shaking with the right hand is mandatory etiquette:

Business greetings – Shaking right-handed projects confidence and professionalism when meeting clients, partners, etc.

Job interviews – Making a good first impression with the proper handshake is key.
Political events – Shaking hands is common at rallies, forums, etc. Use your right hand when greeting dignitaries.
Weddings – Stick to traditional right-handed shaking when in the reception line.

Graduations – Graduates often shake hands when receiving diplomas. Use the proper right hand.
Religious gatherings – Shaking left hands can cause offense in some traditional religions.

Etiquette rules are firmly entrenched in these situations. Shaking right-handed ensures you don’t distract from the occasion with an awkward handshake.

Tips for a Good Right-Handed Handshake

Here are some tips for giving a solid, confident right-handed handshake:

Extend your right hand with your palm facing left and thumb pointed up.
Grasp the other person’s right hand firmly, but not too tight.

Pump up and down 2-3 times briskly while maintaining eye contact.
Keep your arm extended straight without bending at the elbow.
Adjust your grip strength to match the firmness of the other person.

Time the start and release of the handshake so it’s not too quick or prolonged.
Smile and convey friendliness as you shake hands.

A properly executed handshake with your right hand conveys confidence, professionalism, and respect. Practicing giving good right-handed handshakes can boost your social, business, and professional interactions.

Conclusion

Shaking hands with your right hand is customary in Western and many global cultures. It shows respect, allows a better grip, and avoids the negative historical associations with the left hand in certain contexts. While exceptions exist in informal settings, the standard rule is to greet people with a right-handed handshake in formal, social, religious, and business situations. Deviating from this norm without reason can risk insult or awkwardness. Understanding cultural traditions helps ensure your handshake makes the right impression.