Bowing What If Someone Bows To You First? Exchanging Business Cards - Part I Exchanging Business Cards - Part II

Shaking Hands - Part I: "The Grip" Shaking Hands - Part II: "The Dead Fish" Shaking Hands - Part III: "The Non-Handshake" "Silence is Golden"

The dead fish is the second of the common handshakes. Also known as the wet towel, this handshake is always a whimpy, limp, non-grasping action that usually leaves you wanting to shudder and say �Yuck!?Should you encounter the dead fish or wet towel, immediately gentle your grasp, shake, and let go.

A close relative to the dead fish handshake is the slime, also known as a low five. You extend your hand out and encounter this non-substantive touch of four fingers to your palm and is withdrawn by the giver almost immediately almost as quickly as it came. Don�t reach and try to go after the hand! Accept the handshaking the spirit that it was given...as a deference to American custom.

My rsonal favorite is the combo which is gaining much popularity on both sides of the Pacific. I like and teach this handshake because it is the most respectful melding of Western and Eastern business and social custom. The combo starts with a traditional handshake as each party extends his/her hand, concluding in a bow over the two clasped, shaking hands. Aaah...the perfect global bridge.

Stay tuned next week for more business etiquette tips from Angi. This is just part of her 215+ page book, order your own autographed copy now through our online bookstore!