Body Language of The Cold Dead Wet Fish Handshake
Cue: Cold Dead Wet Fish Handshake
Synonym(s): Clammy Handshake
Description: A particularly disgusting cold and damp handshake.
In One Sentence: The cold dead wet fish handshake signals stress and nervousness, and thus, forms a bad impression overall.
How To Use it: N/A.
Context: General.
Verbal Translation: a) “I’m so stressed that I’m in a cold sweat and that shows in my hand.” b) “I have a perspiration problem making my hands sweat for no reason.” c) “I’m nervous and excited.” d) “I’ve been holding a cold drink all night that has been condensing on my hand.”
Variant: See Country Handshake (The), Cold Dead Wet Fish Handshake, Double Gripper Politician Handshake or Double Hander (The), Short Grabber/Finger Grabber Handshake, Oddball Handshake, Palm Up, Palm Down and Palm Even Handshakes, Stiff Arm And Thrust Forward Handshake, Death Grip Handshake, Wrench Forward Handshake, Undershaker Handshake, Wrist Hold Handshake, Wrist Hold Handshake and Upper Arm Grip Handshake, Limp Fish Handshake, Teacup Handshake, Arm Twister Handshake (The), Firm handshake, Fist Bumping.
Cue In Action: Bill and Jill shook hands, but a disgusted look came across Bill’s face. He noted that her hand was cold and damp and figured that she must have been pretty scared about having to present.
Meaning and/or Motivation: A cold, yet moist hand is likely due to high stress, nervousness or fear. So when people shake hands with a damp hand we attach negative feelings to them.
A cold, damp hand can be due to holding a cold drink or keeping the hands in the pockets, or having recently washed the hands. In these instances, little hidden meaning is evident.
Cue Cluster: The cold dead wet fish handshake is associated with flushing or blanching of the face, touching the face or scratching the neck, smoothing clothing such as palms over thighs to try to dry the sweat, hands in pockets to try to keep them warm, which may actually make matters worse, or be the cause of cold wet hands, as well as other pacifying and discomfort cues.
Body Language Category: Arousal, Negative body language, Nervous body language, Stressful body language.
Resources:
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