Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands, Sales and Marketing: The Essential Cultural Guide—From Presentations and Promotions to Communicating and Closing

DO I KISS, BOW, OR SHAKE HANDS?

SHAKE HANDS

Australian men will offer a firm, brief handshake to other men. Men often wait to see if a woman extends her hand before offering to shake. Women may shake hands or not, at their discretion. In a business context, women usually offer to shake hands both with men and with other women.

Of equal importance is direct eye contact during the handshake. Eye contact conveys trustworthiness; averting one’s eyes indicates deception.