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Wussies Galore: Handshaking at Radford University Brian Korte | Executive Director 
Perhaps I am old fashioned, but I am still under the impression that one sign of a good, trustworthy person is his or her handshake. I have met a lot of people on this campus, whether they are professors, RU administration, or even police officers. From what I've found, the men and women on this campus are not only afraid of handshaking, but, when they do shake hands, they downright suck at it.
From my upbringing, I have learned that, in today's world, there are non-verbal messages in a handshake. Generally, too strong of a handshake indicates that the person is trying too hard for authority and may attempt to gain it by being slick, slimy, or otherwise creepy. A loose handshake suggests that the person is weak, feeble, easily manipulated or in some way vulnerable. Generally, people are not weak, and both men and women in the business world should be taken seriously. A weak handshake often gives off the wrong impression. Right in the middle is the appropriate form of hand shaking. A firm, equal-pressured grip demonstrates trustworthiness, loyalty, warmth, and confidence. Had I experienced this handshake from anyone else on campus aside from my friends, this Vent would be irrelevant. As it is, however, this campus is full of weak handshakers, and, damn it, this has to stop. The purpose of any university normally includes preparing students for life outside of the educational setting. What kind of preparation for the "real world" teaches ambitious young students how to appear to be weak? Soon, employers will be able to spot Radford students in an interview based on how weak their handshakes are. I would argue that President Clinton-- hell, even President Covington-- has been instructed on the proper methods of handshaking diplomatically. RU speech professor Bruce Dorries taught (among other things) the concept of equal pressure. Determine how the recipient is accepting your hand shake, and apply equal pressure to them. That is the way things are supposed to be done... I offer my hand to greet people on campus, and I get this look as if they were saying "Umm, you've got your hand out. Why?". Then, when they do catch on to the fact that I'm looking for a professional greeting, they shake my hand as if they had broken their wrist and cannot move. I'm left wondering how to politely react to this limp expression of professionalism. I suppose Radford University employers don't find it necessary to teach their professors how to do this. Or maybe it is written in their policy that touching students in this professional manner is strictly prohibited, and the look I receive is because they are debating whether or not to break policy and shake my hand. Either way, I am not about to lower my standards because the ladies and gentlemen employed by Radford university do not have the skills of the average business person. I do not plan on stopping, either. If the employers of this campus won't teach them formally, then perhaps I will through the embarrassment of knowing that a 21-year-old has better interpersonal skills than a tenured professor or a campus police officer or anyone else who claims to have a position of so-called "authority." Responses: Refresh frame to view latest entries.
Comments: Dude, wussy handshakes suck! Name: Jenn Name: Kimber's Fan Club Name: S. Cloud Comments: Comments:
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