Society's unwritten rules.

I have a question about unwritten rules. Maybe back in the 50's, they published PA pamphlets about this or something, but I was never really TAUGHT.

When you meet someone in a social setting as a female, is it customary to shake hands with the people you are meeting? Business-wise, I know what to do, but in a social situation, I am unsure of how a woman is supposed to act - is shaking hands too masculine?

If it IS in fact the proper way to greet people socially, is a woman's handshake supposed to be firm? I've had people comment on my handshake being "very firm," and I think that may be a bad thing since I am a woman.

I am VERY unsure about the whole situation. I've never been taught this shit, and I am afraid I may be pissing people off with whatever it is I do currently.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Zio

Sass, I think they would probaly see you more as a tomboy for doing so. Most females usually do a quick hug as a greeting even to thier own girl friends, unless you don't know them very well usually a hand shake is a best way to go atleast in my book.

Yea, uh, I don't, like, EVER hug my girlfriends. Because thats fucking queer-ass. I just usually say "Hey, whats going on."

I am talking about when you go to barbecues or some shit where there are new people you've never met varied in age and profession. You talk to different people or whatever.

I'm not talking about meeting with a bunch of kids and being all "HEY NICE TO MEET YOU, 17 YEAR OLD. SHAKE MY HAND."

I just want to know what is socially acceptable when meeting members of someone else's family or something. I don't want to go with the "tomboy" excuse. I want to know what is the acceptable thing to do.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Hachifusa

Sassafrass, it's perfectly acceptable to shake hands, but as a woman, you shouldn't be trying for a firm handshake, but rather a more limp-wristed (yeah, queer-ass too), gentle shake.

In business, however, this does not apply.

You're telling me a limp shake is better than NO SHAKE AT ALL? Wow. As a woman, I find that kind of offensive. ;_;

"O, deary me. I am meek and fragile! Shake my limp-wrist in greetings, but be sure not to harm me!"

Why couldn't I have been born with a dick. ;_;

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by JammerLea

What I hated more though was the one time I wanted to go through the "10 Items or Less" lane at Target and there was some lady with 34985730497 articles of clothing. I wish I knew what the story behind that was. /small rant

Holy CRAP, I hate that. Sometimes, I passively-aggressively speak up, too. Especially if the title of the lane is for express checking-out and a person has about 30+ items. I always wonder why the people working the line don't speak up. It annoys the ever-living fuck out of me. The line for quick-check-out. If you've got more shit than necessary, take a regular line.

Although admittedly, I really enjoy the self-check-out with the automated machines, now. It's better than having to deal with the "HELLO HOW ARE YOU" crap at the counter. You can by-pass the bullshit with the "10 items or less, IF YOU WANT" stuff.

Also, what is this with "queing" (did I spell that right). People in England actually make a sport of getting in line? Can someone explain this further, or is it a joke? ;_;

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by fiercedeity

Its kind of a known thing with the brits that we tend to queue for anything. We like to complain about things and a queue is the perfect thing to complain about, so alot of people refer to the brits as pro queuers, its not really a sport though, I was just being a silly bugger. Sorry for the confusion ; ;

No, no. No confusion. I am just unsure of what "queuing" is. Is it standing in line while wating to pay for something in a store? Because I just can't picture it, being a pro "queuer." Maybe it's because we Americans are different, but how can you be a pro queuer?

I think I just don't understand the term. I am sorry. ;_;

I was speaking idiomatically.