Are handshakes just sweaty gifts?

There has been a lot of buzz on the Web recently about how handshakes are disgusting, spread germs, and are probably unnecessary.  TechCrunch just posted on this again yesterday.  I have to admit that although I have spent hours talking with my clients about the importance of handshakes in American culture, especially business culture, I don’t like the practice much myself.  I keep hand sanitizer at the ready and wash my hands incessantly.  Despite this, I continue to shake hands and often force myself to shake hands even with my clients from Japan and other parts of Asia where handshaking is not traditional or common.

Why?  Why do we still cling to this silly practice of touching our palms together?  People can be really offended if you don’t accept or offer a handshake.  It is almost as if the handshake is a gift that must be received, whether or not it is wanted.  Just as you don’t refuse birthday gifts, no matter how unwelcome, you can (almost) never refuse a handshake.

In many Asian cultures, the exchange of small gifts is an important part of both meeting for the first time and reuniting.  Americans give gifts on special occasions.  Maybe handshakes are meant to be our “everyday” gift for those we meet.

Business deals are often concluded with a handshake.  Perhaps it is this exchange of “gifts” that seals the deal, much like a contract is an exchange of money for goods or services.

If we agree that handshakes are gifts, surely we can come up with something better.  Aren’t there better gifts to be shared than a sweaty palm?