From the fist bump to the handshake and the hug, saying hello has never been more complicated. Choose wisely, as an awkward or inappropriate greeting can send the wrong signal about you as a professional. Linda Allan, a certified management consultant and business etiquette expert, says there’s a “certain formality in finance and law that still holds true.” Here’s the Precedent guide to good greetings
The Handshake
It’s long been the standard, yet people still manage to mess it up. “A handshake should never be done while sitting down, or from behind a desk or across a table,” Allan says. “If a lawyer has someone coming into their office, they must stand up to greet them.” Offer a firm grip and then disengage. “Shake their hand and move on,” says Allan. “This is not a fraternity.” Most important, make eye contact and smile. “A handshake gives off a lot about a person in a very brief moment,” she says.
The Double Kiss/Hug
Approach with caution. The key, Allan says, is to follow the lead of the other person. If you’re with a French-Canadian colleague or client and they double-kiss other attendees at a meeting, prepare to go to cheek-to-cheek. “There are never actual kisses,” Allan cautions. “You should never feel lips against skin.” She says her clients have noticed that hugging is on the rise, but it’s still a situation where you let the client or colleague initiate.
Alternative Options
Allan says some people are hesitant to shake due to the H1N1 virus. If that’s your preference, be sure to explain why you’re not extending your hand. Allan notes that the paranoia about spreading germs has even led some to start touching elbows instead of shaking hands. “It’s starting to rear its head,” she says disapprovingly. Then there’s the encroaching spectre of the fist bump. It’s still off limits for lawyers in a professional setting — so bump outside of billable hours.