As a young man handshakes have been a big part of my short life. But they often tell so much about a person when you first meet them or when just saying hey.
From the big strong handshake towards an older guy to soft hello to a woman I just met, people have different ways of doing it for different circumstances. Whether it’s cultural, socioeconomic, gender based, or the situation it’s just different.
This year ever region of the world did something different and they all actually have a deep underlying meaning that I have either asked about or figured out for my self.
In South Africa and Botswana they did one that would seem like a thing between just young men but it was different on the situation or age of the person. They would go for a normal handshake then it would quickly flip to a hand hung thing then back to a normal handshake. It took some getting used but it felt normal after a few days. If I were to shake hands with a older man I would bend my left arm and touch my elbow and do that motion as many times, as a sign of respect, as he would.
The flipping of the hand was more of South Africa thing but the left arm holding the right elbow was in many countries.
They also have a profound reason they do it. My hosts in Botswana told me it is a show of no conflict. If the right hand is being used to shake the other persons hand the right has the possibility to then hit the other person. But since they show that the left hand is also involved in the handshake it’s a show of friendship and respect.
It’s showing and saying I respect you and care for you before a word is even spoken. This happened in meetings, saying hello, and even when money was handed to back to you from a cashier. Something so small is so pervasive throughout an entire culture.
This handshake was evident all through Southern Africa, and Asia. The parts of Asia I was in particularly don’t shake hands but towards foreigners they do this. With what I would assume was the same meaning. They also wouldn’t do a strong handshake.
For them it’s not a way to size someone up. It’s showing kindness and gentleness for a good transaction or meeting.
Central America has a bit of American influence that has influenced they way the also shake hands. The strong handshake was a thing from more dignified and wealthier people. But the thing that was common was what the young men would do.
It was a simple hand slap and then fist bump. Which is a common thing in the states too. The thing that amazed me was that is was common throughout all of the countries in Central America. Despite having the same language each country is different due to contrary belief.
This was something that was consistent and to me it shows a universal sign of being familiar with someone. Something that you do with being a close friendship but they all did the handshake with each other.
Handshakes may not seem like a big thing to think about in America or for many people that matter. But it can be a way to show kindness, respect, and gentleness before saying a word. Or it can be used to show dominance and disrespect when done with bad intentions.
Our interactions in life matter even though they are overlooked and unseen. Many things in my walk with Christ can be seen as that from an outside perspective. But it’s when from inside we choose and live with things resembling Christ that little things have big outcomes in the future.
What little things can you do?
What’s ways can you show someone they are loved and cared for?
When will you enact these things in ways?
Where will you show people that you respect them despite what they think about you?
How will reading the thoughts I had be a change if you agree or are intrigued with what I had to say?
Know that the world is changed because of Christ’s life and death. Know that nothing is stagnant and is always moving. Be apart of the movement and change it from the inside don’t just simply move with it and get overrun.
Grace and peace to you today and forever for eternity.
