On the topic of the perfect handshake, raised by Adrian Chiles (After decades of trial and error, I think I’ve nailed the perfect handshake, 11 September), I long ago adopted the technique of tensing the fingers in my hand, to make it as solid as possible, but not doing too much in the way of gripping or squeezing. This works well, I think. If your adversary puts forth their hand, they won’t encounter a wet fish, but equally you won’t be trying to squeeze the life out of theirs.
I agree that handshakes are perilous though. What about when your assailant starts squeezing before being properly engaged, capturing ones fingers in a vice? Best advice I can give is to jab one’s hand out rapidly so that the skin between thumb and first finger of both parties touches. Only then should squeezing start. Do so gently, keeping the hand solid throughout. Squeezing before properly engaging ought to be considered the height of rudeness.
