Hand-to-Hand Combat

The way that people shake your hand tells you a lot about them and how they feel about you. It is, however, important to note that a handshake is also cultural. In Japan, bowing is the mode of greeting and saying goodbye. When Japanese are forced into communicating with Americans, their handshake is often soft and fishlike. This is because they may feel uncomfortable and tentative, as it is an act that is out of their usual social norm. Outside of the Japanese culture, however, a light and soft handshake usually means that the person is timid or unsure of himself, or of you. It may also indicate submissiveness. In contrast, a firm handshake may indicate self-confidence or confidence in you. If however the handshake is too firm, where the person is squeezing your hand too tightly, they may be trying to establish dominance or power over you. An overly firm handshake may also reflect an inner hostility towards you. Unless the person’s arm is disabled, if you extend your hand and she doesn’t accept it, or refuses to acknowledge it, she may be saying that she really can’t stand you and that she wants nothing to do with you; this is an extremely hostile act.
A clammy or wet hand often reflects nervousness, however there are some cases where the person may have a medical condition that causes excessive perspiration.