The Tradition of Handshaking: Is it Universal Among Human Beings?

Why is your study faulty if you conclude that hand shaking must be universal among human beings?

As an extra-terrestrial anthropologist observing a social group of people who shake hands, what are some reasons that make your study faulty?

Reasons for the Faulty Conclusion

There are several reasons why concluding that hand shaking is universal among human beings based on observing one social group is faulty:

Firstly, not all cultures around the world practice hand shaking as a form of greeting. While it is common in many Western cultures, there are other ways of greeting in various parts of the world.

Secondly, some individuals may choose not to shake hands for personal reasons that are not related to cultural differences. These reasons could include religious beliefs that prohibit physical contact or hygiene concerns.

Furthermore, even within cultures that do engage in hand shaking, the gesture can have different meanings or interpretations. For example, in some cultures, a firm handshake is seen as a sign of respect and confidence, while in others it may be considered too aggressive.

Therefore, it is important to consider the diversity of human cultures and individual preferences before making broad conclusions about the universality of hand shaking as a greeting gesture.