What are cultural history behind shaking hands?

Shaking hands is like giving someone a friendly greeting with your hand, it’s been used for a long time to show we’re happy to meet or say goodbye.

A long, long time ago, people didn’t always know if others were friends or foes. Sometimes, they’d shake hands to show they meant no harm. Imagine you're playing with your friend at the park, you both reach out and touch each other’s hands. That’s like saying, “I’m not going to pinch you!”

Nowadays, we use handshakes when we meet someone new, like when you go to school and introduce yourself to a classmate. It's like giving a high-five, but slower and more grown-up. You might even do it with your parents or teacher when saying goodbye.

Sometimes people shake hands so hard that their hands feel like they're clapping from the inside! But no matter how you do it, it’s all about being friendly, just like sharing toys or playing tag. Shaking hands is like giving someone a friendly greeting with your hand, it’s been used for a long time to show we’re happy to meet or say goodbye.