Why do we shake hands?
The Real Answer
Handshaking likely originated as a gesture of peace — showing you weren't holding a weapon. The practice became formalized during the Renaissance in Europe as a sign of trust and agreement, and evolved into a standard greeting across Western business and social contexts. Different cultures have different greeting rituals, but the handshake became particularly dominant in Western commerce because it was visible, involved both parties equally, and created a moment of physical contact that signaled good faith.
Two strangers meet and immediately grab each other's dominant hands like they're checking to make sure the other person didn't bring a knife. We're still running a 500-year-old weapon inspection protocol before talking about quarterly earnings. If someone refuses to shake your hand now, it means you personally have offended them, even though you haven't said anything yet.
Why People Ask This
Usually hits people mid-handshake when they suddenly become aware of the weird intimacy of it — you're touching a stranger's hand for no practical reason, maintaining eye contact, and both pretending this is normal. Post-COVID, people started questioning it more openly, which made them realize how little sense it makes in a non-violent world.