On Shaking Hands - Essay - by A.G. Gardiner - Notes - Summary

On Shaking Hands

A.G. Gardiner

“On Shaking Hands” is an essay written by A.G. Gardiner.  In this essay, Gardiner comments on the popular custom of shaking hands. There are different customs of greeting across the world such as Japanese bows, the Indians’ Salaam, Chinese grave motion of hands and the Arab’s touch with finger tips, etc.

          Gardiner compares the custom of shaking hands with other customs. He humorously elaborates on the custom of kissing which is prominent in Russia.  He describes the funny incident where Prince Kropotkin was kissed on his cheek by several elderly men.  He also gives some humorous anecdotes regarding different types of hand shakes. He says that one does not prefer to shake warm, clammy hands, listless, flaccid hands, and bony, energetic hands. 

Though there is some criticism on the custom of shaking hands on health grounds, Gardiner says that it is the most instinctive custom of greeting. He opines that a person’s hand shake is a mark of his or her personality.  Even an act of Parliament cannot prevent the English people from shaking hands.  Despite its disadvantages, the custom of shaking hands is a happy mean between oriental salaam, and the Russian Hug. 

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Noojilla Srinivas

Lecturer in English

Govt. Degree College - Alamuru

M: 7981862200

email: noojillasrinivas@gmail.com