Have you ever wondered about the origin of handshakes? You might be interested to know that the very nature of the handshake was originally intended to show oneself friendly.
你想过握手是从何起源的吗？也许你也想知道握手源自用来表达自己的友善态度。
During the medieval times, when many of the men were covered in armor, the handshake was a manner of greeting used to show friendship. If one male extended an open hand to another, this was understood to mean an extension of friendship and the gesture would be returned. Of course the alternative would be a hand extended with an accompanying dagger or sword. Suffice it to say the handshake was a way to determine whether one was friend or foe.

中世纪时期，很多男人穿着盔甲，握手是表示友谊的问候方式。如果男士向另一位男士伸出摊开的手，这意味着要交朋友。另一个人会回以同样的手势做反应。当然，还有一种方式是伸出握着匕首或剑的手。这足够说明握手是判断一个人是朋友还是敌人的方法。
The basic American handshake is very simple and most often used as a greeting between friends or new acquaintances. Here's how it is done:
基本的美式握手礼节非常简单，经常作为朋友和新识之间打招呼的方式。以下是如何握手：
The right hand is extended, thumb up and palm flat.
右手伸出，大拇指朝上，手掌摊平。
Grasp the other person's hand using a firm grip, palm on palm.
手掌贴手掌，有力地握住另一个人的手。
Hands are pumped two or three time in a vertical motion.
手垂直上下2-3次。
The grip is released.
松开手。
You can definitely practice extending great handshakes with your friends and family members so that you can determine what is comfortable for you and others. Trying it out on a friend is much easier than starting out with strangers.
你可以和朋友、家人联系，这样确定舒服的握手方式。和朋友一起尝试比和陌生人要容易得多。
The Hand Hug: The "handhug" is a popular type of handshake often used by politicians. This shake which involves the covering of the clenched hand shake with the left hand, communicates warmth, friendship, trust and honesty.
手的拥抱：“手的拥抱”是政治家经常使用的一种握手方式。这种握手方式用左手紧紧相握，表达温暖、友谊、信任、诚实。
The Crusher: This painful handshake is a favorite shake of aggressive people. This shake is said to display confidence and power.
粉碎者：这是进取心强的人最喜欢的握手方式。这种握手方式据说体现了自信和力量。
The Queen's Fingertips: This handshake greeting is most commonly observed in male-female encounters. Usually the female presents her outstretched hand and the recipient grasps only a few digits of the right hand.
女王的指尖：这种握手方式在男女会面中最为常见。通常女性伸出手来，男性只握住右手手指。
The Please Keep Back: This handshake is usually extended when one of the parties is not too excited about the greeting. He or she may feel intruded upon or inconvenienced and the handshake will communicate the discomfort.
生人勿近：这种握手方式通常是双方中的一个对会面和问候不热情。他或者她会感觉不方便，觉得被打扰握手的时候就会表露出这种不适。
There are many alternatives to the everyday basic handshake. Many cultures have personalized the handshake for use within their community. Here are a few.
日常生活中除了握手还有很多其他替代方式。很多文化中有着特定的握手方式。以下是一些例子。
The "jiveshake" or "black man's shake, " is associated with African-American culture. This handshake is performed by each person clutching the base of the other person's thumb and often leaning in to bump opposite shoulders. This shake is also a familiar greeting amongst men in some Native American cultures.
“jiveshake”或者叫“黑人式握手”和美国黑人文化相关联。这种握手方式是每个人抓住另外一个人的大拇指，靠过去互撞肩膀。这一些美国本土文化中也是人们打招呼的一种常用方式。
Members of the Boy Scouts of America use a left handed shake, referred to as the 'scout shake.' This was a convention started by Lord Baden-Powell. Tradition states that Baden-Powell was impressed by a legend he heard while he was in West Africa. The story goes that two warring chiefs desiring peace, confronted one another. One chief dropped both his weapon and his shield. Not only was his right hand empty of a weapon leaving him unable to attack, but his left hand was left empty of a shield and he was thus unable to defend against the weapons of the other.
美国童子军成员用左手握手，名为“童子军式握手”。这是由贝登堡勋爵(注：国际童军运动创始者)创立的传统。据说贝登堡勋爵对于在西非听闻的传说印象深刻。故事说的是当两个交战中的首领想要谋求和平，他们面对面时，其中一个把自己的武器和盾都放在地上。他右手不拿武器，无法攻击，而他的左手没有盾就无法抵御他人的武器。
Those who practice the sport of fencing traditionally shake using the non-sworded hand at the conclusion of their bout.
练击剑的人通常在一个回合结束之后用不拿剑的那只手来握手。
Many secret societies, fraternity and sorority employ secret handshakes enabling them to identify initiated brothers and sisters.
很多秘密组织，兄弟会和女生联谊会使用秘密的握手方式来辨别他们的兄弟姐妹。
Some cultures have a habit of shaking both hands.
有些文化里有双手握手的习惯。
In Western culture, handshakes should be firm as weak handshakes are considered limp and cold.
在西方文化中，握手应当有力。无力的握手被认为是软弱无情的。
In European countries such as France and Italy, the norm is to shake hands every time you meet someone.
在欧洲国家，例如法国和意大利，每次你见到某人的时候都要握手。
In some Muslim countries (such as Turkey or the Arabic-speaking Middle East), a grip that is too firm is considered to be rude behavior.
在一些穆斯林国家(比如土耳其和中东阿拉伯语国家)，大力握手被认为是很粗鲁的举动。
In China, not only are weak handshakes preferred, but the custom is to hold on for an extended time after the initial shake.
在中国，更倾向于轻轻地握手，而且在握手之后要再握一会。
In Turkey, the casual standard greeting is usually a kiss on the cheek twice. In some cultures the handshake may be concluded by the open palm of the hand being placed on the heart.
在土耳其，普通的问候是在脸颊上亲吻2次。在某些文化中，握手最后会把摊开的手掌放在心口处。
As you greet others cross-culturally you should also remember that some religions, such as Orthodox Judaism and Islam, prohibit physical contact between men and women. In these situations follow the lead of the others around you. In general, men will exchange shakes with other men and likewise the women with other women. In place of a shake it is appropriate to give a short nod of your head.
问候不同文化的人，要记住某些宗教，比如东正教、犹太教、伊斯兰教，禁止男女之间身体接触。在这种情况下，跟着别人做。通常，男士之间互相握手，女士之间也是如此。不握手，短暂点头示意也可以。