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7 of the world's most interesting handshakes

From Nixon and Presley to Hitler and Chamberlain right back to Arnold Schwarzenegger, these handshakes deserve to go down in history.

HANDSHAKES SIGNIFY RESPECT.

That’s why when important figures in the public eye come together and shake hands, it often means something special.

With that said, the handshake is also an ordinary thing we all do – most of us will shake hands with someone or other every single day. Yet considering we do it so often, a lot of people get it spectacularly wrong.

So, the humble handshake – everyday and extraordinary, good and bad. But always interesting.

1. US and Soviet astronauts shake hands in space

In 1975, two spaceships came together and linked up – for a handshake. The two astronauts, Stafford and Leonev, docked together and exchanged pleasantries as part of an ongoing détente at the time.

NYtime.com NYtime.com

Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons

2. Martin McGuinness and Queen Elizabeth II

Martin McGuinness, a former senior figure in the IRA, shook Queen Elizabeth II’s hand last year in Belfast at a Co-Operation Ireland event. A massively symbolic moment for the Northern Irish peace process and relations with Britain.

3efyi

3. Adolf Hitler and Neville Chamberlain

In 1938, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain was sure that the best approach with the Fuhrer was “appeasement”. He declared peace with Germany on his arrival home from negotiations on the Sudetenland, just eight days after this photograph was taken. Unfortunately, he spoke far too soon about Hitler.

Musings from Medway Musings from Medway

4. Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy

Landsdowne Road, September 2001. With Keane in the Irish footballing headlines yet again this week, it remains to be seen if he has thawed since the Saipan incident with Mick McCarthy.

Lorraine O'Sullivan / Inpho Lorraine O'Sullivan / Inpho / Inpho

5. Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev

This handshake marked the first meeting between the US and USSR in six years at the Geneva Summit. This ended with them both signing an agreement that they would each reduce their nuclear arsenals.

WikimediaCommons WikimediaCommons

6. Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley

Can’t believe your eyes? Well, it’s true. Presley met Nixon in the Oval Office in 1970. “I’m on your side,” he told Nixon. Then the singer reportedly asked the President if he could have a federal badge from the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

It might not have gone down in history, but it’s certainly a turn up for the books.

ClassicPopIcons

7. Movie moments

And what about the handshake from Predator? Not billed as “the most epic movie handshake of all time” for nothing. Here are Dillon and Dutch duking it out.

Nerve.com Nerve.com

Or, on a lighter note, this one from Homer and Barney:

Complex.com Complex.com

Do you have a secret handshake? And what’s the one thing you hate most about getting a bad handshake? You can tell a lot from a person’s handshake, or so they say… 

Shaking on a deal can change everything. Find out by watching Díol É – TG4′s new show about striking deals, selling your old tat and getting lucky – every Tuesday at 8pm.  Could your next handshake over a deal go down in history?

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33 Comments
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    Mute David Fenton
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:42 PM

    It might be worth people’s while reading up a little on card skimming machines. If you have some idea of what to look for you can protect yourself to some degree. However, it’s always best to avoid using machines in poorly lit and poorly serviced areas and always check your statements regularly. Here’s a bunch of articles with pictures to give you an idea of what’s out there. http://krebsonsecurity.com/all-about-skimmers/

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    Mute PunchUinFACE
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:29 PM

    Best tip is to simply always place your hand directly over keypad when entering PIN. PIN is key, while your card details maybe compromised without PIN bank cannot hold you liable for CNP payments which is all they can do without PIN

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    Mute Sean Hyland
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:42 PM

    The best tip would be to re introduce border controls on eastern block countries and stop criminal gangs moving in. Bulgaria borders open 2014 roll up all in!

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    Mute Johnny Gobstock
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    Nov 26th 2012, 10:14 PM

    exactly Sean, we never had this crap until they opened the borders to them

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    Mute john mack
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    Nov 27th 2012, 7:15 AM

    Would have to second the website http://krebsonsecurity.com very informative, one point to note is if you see skimming device or notice any unusual device don’t use machine, don’t try to remove device yourself, the gang that installed it normally wait nearby to prevent people from removing their Skimmers and cameras mostly with a bit if force.

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    Mute Fussy Galore
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    Nov 26th 2012, 9:37 PM

    I was recently scammed by one of these CIE vending machines – I was charged €2.80 for a single journey from Tara street to Lansdowne. People need to be vigilant.

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    Mute ITS Student
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:19 PM

    Anyone who uses a credit card nowadays must love paying €40 stamp duty even if they use their card just once. The best advice I can offer is for people to use cash instead of credit cards. Cash is quicker and easier.

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    Mute PunchUinFACE
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:36 PM

    i agree but i have awful problems sending cash down the internet, just won;t fit into the socket ;)

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    Mute ITS Student
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:50 PM

    Why not use a Debit Card instead?

    or Paypal?

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    Mute siobeli
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:56 PM

    Very smug suggestion!! So how do I access my cash if I’m paid into the bank if I don’t use a cash machine to get it, as work during banking hours?
    Why should people have to suit criminals?

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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:01 PM

    People do get mugged as well!

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Nov 27th 2012, 3:00 AM

    Debit cards now cost per transaction with most banks so over the year they’ll work out a lot more expensive than a credit card.
    not all online retailers use PayPal your fairly stuck tryin to pay motor tax online with a hand full of coppers…

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    Mute Donal Rafferty
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:10 PM

    Do you have to put your pin in those machines now? It’s been awhile but the last time I used one I just put my card in and out without putting in a PIN.

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    Mute Redmond Scanlon
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:51 PM

    Yeah you have to put your pin in now.

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    Mute Neil McAuley
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:53 PM

    Donal I’m pretty certain that the system where u could enter a bank card without entering a PIN is no longer on place. I used do that also. Best way to avoid this scam is to book in advance ( to avail of a better fare) and enter the reference number that they email u or use cash.

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    Mute PunchUinFACE
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:02 PM

    siobeli,

    In fairness to ITS student, his comment is around the govt asking for a cashless society and then penalising people for this.

    My comment was an attempt at humour, i know i know, don’t give up the day job.

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    Mute fizi_water
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    Nov 26th 2012, 8:31 PM

    They can skimm my card what they want, there are usually only 3-4 days every month they would be able to take anything substantial from me (yes…after pay day lol). Any other day they might be welcomed with message “we are sorry there are no sufficient funds in your account to complete transaction, would you like to try another amount? “. See how smart way to cheat the cheaters :)

    But for all other minted people, why dont you get 2nd laser card just for carring around with small limit, separate to your main bank account with planty of money?

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    Mute Mac Ready
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    Nov 26th 2012, 6:32 PM

    Another scam currently doing the rounds certainly in Dublin city centre is where ATM user puts their card in enters their pin selects amount to withdraw card should come back out of card reader but appears to be stuck there is usually someone standing over your shoulder taking not of your PIN number and will advise u that the card has been eaten and you need to go into the branch when you move off they will remove the card trapping device and your card and clear your account

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    Mute Johnny Gobstock
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    Nov 26th 2012, 10:13 PM

    best tip to do there is ‘don’t move off”, just stand there and wait. do as it says on the warning sign, call the garda for assistance, just stand there and wait. that will make them sweat.

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    Mute mick lennon
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    Nov 26th 2012, 10:47 PM

    Im blaming the bankers for this too

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    Mute Lorraine Chambers
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    Nov 26th 2012, 6:07 PM

    Pay online from home and get a Leap card which can be used for the bus, train and Luas. One can top it up at most local shops.

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Nov 27th 2012, 3:03 AM

    If you live in Dublin….

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    Mute Robin Pickering
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    Nov 27th 2012, 5:10 AM

    Talk about dumb criminals! Don’t they realise that after paying the cost of a trip on public transport, only a tiny few would have anything left to steal?

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