When two
people are attempting to shake hands and some sort of mishap occurs such as one
person partially missing the other
person'
s hand and ending up shaking just their fingers.
Grabbing just fingers is terrible and is sometimes misinterpreted as giving someone a limp fish handshake. Both the limp fish and just fingers make a terrible impression on both close
friends and complete strangers leading to harsh reactions ranging from a moment of unspoken awkwardness, to outright ridicule or even death in some cultures.
Therefore if a handshake mishap occurs the best resolution is to immediately ask for a handshake reset. While this will not completely absolve the handshake mishap it does go a long way towards making things right.
Guy 1: Damn it! I was on my job interview and there was a handshake mishap and I ended up grabbing just
fingers.
Guy 2: Did the interviewer say anything?
Guy 1: No but I could tell there was just a
moment of unspoken awkwardness. He probably thought I was giving him the limp fish and was put off by it.
Guy 2: Did you
ask for a handshake reset?
Guy 1: No I totally blanked!
Guy 2: Dude you'
re fucked! No way you'
re getting that job. You should have just walked out mid-interview and saved everyone's time. At least be glad he didn't kill you because he was within his rights to do so. I know I would have.