Here is an excerpt from a blog post I wrote in 2012:
Quite a few world political leaders, when shaking hands, use both hands. Some shake with both hands. Some others shake with one hand and the other hand touches the elbow or shoulder of the person they are greeting. People who greet like this are considered (rightly or wrongly) “born leaders”. In USA, whoever wants to become a “born leader” practice this habit. Hahaha. A few sample pics:
Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern
Bill Clinton and a Navajo Indian woman
Barack Obama and Man Mohan Singh
Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev
And now this, last week:
(Pictures: Courtesy - Yahoo)
Quite a few world political leaders, when shaking hands, use both hands. Some shake with both hands. Some others shake with one hand and the other hand touches the elbow or shoulder of the person they are greeting. People who greet like this are considered (rightly or wrongly) “born leaders”. In USA, whoever wants to become a “born leader” practice this habit. Hahaha. A few sample pics:
Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern
Bill Clinton and a Navajo Indian woman
Barack Obama and Man Mohan Singh
Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev
And now this, last week:
(Pictures: Courtesy - Yahoo)
Ha Interesting....good to know thanks SG
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Dee. Glad you liked this post.
DeleteInteresting observations!
ReplyDeleteThanks Renu for your comments.
DeleteI am not sure about the other photos, but the gesture on the last one looks more like a self-defence tactic :D
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Thanks for your comments Rajesh. I like your imagination.
DeleteI had not observed this common feature among leaders of shaking with one hand and the other on the elbow.Seems an expression of warmth and worthy of emulation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Mr. KP. I like your interpretation.
DeleteThanks for your comments Yashi.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting observation SG :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Ash.
DeleteThis is a very interesting observation. US leaders are mostly shaking hands using both the hands. It looks more assuring and welcoming, isn’t it?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Shesha. I agree with you that it looks more assuring and welcoming. Indian leaders also use both hands but with a different gesture. Folded hands and saying Namaste.
DeleteThis is really interesting, especially since diplomatic body language and protocol are among my favourite subjects. I liked your interpretation, which looked to me, a bit tongue in cheek. A good post, Rajan. Really liked this.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Pradeep. I am glad you liked this post. This made my day.
DeleteInteresting. I read that touching the elbow with other hand depicts openness and trustworthiness. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Shilpa. It is true. They are considered leadership qualities.
DeleteI have seen such things in photographs and all, but never knew the difference. Born leader tag, people will practise to show that they are born leaders. Interesting topic with illustration.Nice.
ReplyDelete