Body Language of The Undershaker Handshake
Cue: Undershaker Handshake (The)
Synonym(s): Shortshaker Handshake (The)
Description: This handshake is so quick, it’s actually offensive. It lasts merely seconds where the hand is quickly grabbed then released or tossed aside. Sometimes it even lacks any pumping action at all.
In One Sentence: The undershaker is person who covets their own personal space and wants to keep their distance as much as possible.
How To Use it: When you dislike someone, you may try to keep physical contact brief to tell them that it makes you uncomfortable. A quick shake followed by moving backwards, eyes averted, says that you are not willing to interact with them or give them the time of day.
Context: General.
Verbal Translation: “I don’t like what you are selling and I feel like you are trying to take advantage of me so I’m going to drop your hand as quickly as possible so I can get on with my own agenda.”
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: The door-to-door salesman managed to make his way inside the house with a slick sales pitch, but the more the homeowner learned the more he disliked the idea. He didn’t know how to get out of the deal as he had already agreed to a sample. When finalizing, the salesman put his hand out to shake and being polite the homeowner did, but he released after just one pump and tossed the shady salesman’s hand aside abruptly.
Meaning and/or Motivation: Someone who shakes hands like this is showing indifference and suspicion.
It is common when someone feels that you are trying to sell them something they aren’t at all interested in buying, or trying to get them to do something they aren’t willing to do.
Other times they are trying to signal that you are intruding on their ground and that no agreement will be made. It’s probably best to respect their wishes, as their initial impression shows that you have come on far too strong.
Other times the undershaker is demonstrating his high need for personal space or lives in a location where physical contact isn’t normal.
Cue Cluster: Some who uses the undershaker handshake will give clues that he does not want to be there. He will turn his head and torso away, move his feet toward the door, will keep his head nods brief, if he nods at all, will take a step back and will only feign listening. This person wants to leave.
Body Language Category: Defensive, Dislike (nonverbal), Distancing or moving away, Escape movements, Indicators of disinterest (IOD), Intention movements, Negative body language, Rejection body language, Suspicious body language, Social touching.
Resources:
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