The lady offers to shake hands first

[Jen95]

So, I guess there’s an old rule of etiquette that the lady should be the one who offers her hand to shake hands first. So if the woman doesn’t offer, then the man wouldn’t offer his hand either. Is this rule completely outdated? Has anyone heard of this?
Would this have felt weird when the sign of peace was first started in the 60s?
What about when two women meet?

https://www.uexpress.com/miss-manners/2002/10/3/reader-offers-unwanted-hand

https://www.uexpress.com/miss-manners/2005/7/7/lending-a-hand

https://womenbusinessownerstoday.co...s-etiquette-of-the-handshake.asp#.XlnAkx5Ok0N

Shaking hands with women | GQ

 

[Catfinger77]

Growing up in the Fifties I was taught to wait until a lady offers her hand, as you say. I still do that.

 

[JanR]

Today, I don’t think it matters one iota. The handshake is a gesture of community and good will when used in church services, and I don’t think it makes any difference whether a man or woman initiates it. We accompany the handshake with the words, “Peace be with you”. Response: “And also with you.” We lose the spirit of that when we worry about gender etiquette.

 

[JanR]

Used outside of church services, one needs to be more careful. It can be misinterpreted.

 

[Catfinger77]

And sometimes women squeeze my hand too hard. I have a touch of arthritis.

 

[adamhovey1988]

Coronavirus, no shaking hands. And, interesting you mention that because the last time I introduced myself to a woman, she actually extended her hand to shake mine, so apparently she knows that.