Why Do We Greet People with Handshakes?

We shake hands to say hello and show we are friendly.

When two people meet, they often shake hands, that means one person grabs the other’s hand and moves it up and down. It feels like a little hug with your hand.

Imagine you're playing a game with your friend. At first, you don’t know each other very well, so you might keep your distance. But when you shake hands, it's like saying, “I trust you, and I want to be friends.” It’s a simple way to show that you’re ready to play together or work as a team.

Think of shaking hands like sharing a snack. When you give your friend part of your cookie, it shows you're friendly. Shaking hands is like giving your hand a little cookie, it's a small but meaningful way to say “Hello” and “I like you.”

So next time you shake someone’s hand, remember, it’s not just a hand movement; it’s a friendly signal that says, “Let’s be friends!”