From Business Cards to Business Relationships: Personal Branding and Profitable Networking Made Easy, 2nd Edition

The completely unacceptable finger-licker shake happens far too often. It occurs when a person eating hors d'oeuvres at a cocktail party is kind enough to clean crumbs or grease from his fingers by licking all of them before shaking your hand. Don't laugh—yes, you may squirm—but this habit does exist. It's awkward to see a freshly licked hand coming toward you for a handshake. That's why we have napkins.

Test Your Handshake

Not sure if you have a good handshake? Watch others' facial expressions when they shake your hand. Does it change? Do they look disappointed?

Ask a friend to test your handshake. The best handshake happens when you are testing because you're cognizant of how a handshake should be. Use this opportunity to consciously improve your grip.

You really want to know if you have a strong handshake when you're meeting new contacts. Therefore, it's a good idea to ask your friend to test you in a business setting when you're not thinking about being tested. That handshake is the one that counts and will elicit real feedback.

Recently I introduced two colleagues to each other. They shook hands, said hello, and we were on our way. Afterward, my friend commented on the “floppy-fish” handshake she had just received.