When greeting someone new in a business setting, it feels instinctual to stand if you are seated and shake his or her hand. That distinction gets murky if you already know the person but don't see them often.
Hi Lizzie and Daniel,
When I meet a new person at work I stand and shake their hand. When they are saying goodbye, am I supposed to stand and shake their hand again?
Sometimes I do stand and other times I remain seated and say something like, "Nice to have met you. Have a safe trip home."
Also do you shake hands with someone after you already know them?
For instance, there is a woman from an outside organization that I usually see two times a year. Should I stand and shake her hand when she comes into my office? Stand but don't shake? Don't stand, just stay seated and say hi? No matter what I do I always end up wondering if I should have done the opposite.
Are there guidelines for handshakes when saying goodbye to someone in a professional setting and does my gender (I am female) matter at all when it comes to observing those guidelines?
Thank you,
Andrea
The Answer:
When it comes to gender, it doesn't matter. Typically the sign of respect for both men and women greeting someone new in a business setting is to stand.
A handshake is also always appropriate upon greeting and when saying goodbye to someone new in a work setting. If the person is someone you see daily, there is no need to stand when you greet them.
The rule of order is based on how well you know the person: When greeting or leaving a colleague you're just meeting or rarely see, you should stand and offer to shake hands.
When greeting or leaving a colleague you work with often, you needn't stand. And when you are saying hello or goodbye to a relative or close friend, the rule is obviously less formal and a hug is also appropriate.
