Would you be insulted if someone you didn't know doesn't want to shake your hand?

No. We tend to not do it around here because of flu and swine flu. No one cares. No one is insulted. All you need is love.

Who handshakes anymore?
Fist-bump is where it’s at.

When my best friend and I met over 7 years ago, he didn’t want to shake my hand. I found it intriguing but wrote it off as a fluke. Later any time our bodies would touch accidentally, he’d flinch and move away. Eventually I got fed up and wrote him a very long letter (one he still remembers to this day) and the short version was ‘WTF!’...He responded by saying that he has intimacy issues and all that (which he might have had)...in reality I learned that certain Muslim men (he believed himself to be a Muslim when we met, he is no longer a Muslim) didn’t shake hands with women…I’ve experienced that on many occasions because I was active in the activities of the Muslim Student Association throughout college. In the presense of these young men, I stopped reaching out my hand but I continue to find the notion offensive.

People in these parts hug you for no reason. It doesn’t bother me.

For about 2 seconds, then I’d think, Oh, s/he’s probably like Donald Trump, who is known to be germphobic. It’s true! He doesn’t shake hands upon meeting people.

It’s been a very hard lesson for me, but I’m learning that one honestly and truly cannot take anything anyone else does personally. People have their own reasons for doing things that 9.9999999999 out of 10 has nothing to do with one.

They say it’s proper etiquette to hold out your hand first if you’re a woman, but a man should not initiate. I am a woman and do not like shaking hands really, unless I have to as a courtesy at my job. In many cultures they do not shake hands, as in many Asian cultures they bow. I find it much more sanitary and respectful. Every culture is different though, it doesn’t bother me any!

No.I just watch them try to escape my kung-fu grip ;)

No.
I mean, if they refuse to shake my hand specifically, I’ll be confused and wonder why, but “insulted” is not a word I’d use.
If they refuse to shake anyone’s hand, well I’d figure they’re some kind of weird germophobe.

I would assume they were just germophobic. Not unheard of. However, people like that tend to be a little socially awkward sometimes.

It’s hard to imagine another reason except, I suppose, being foreign and not knowing the custom.

It would probably bother me for a minute, but I think I would get over it. In some places eye contact is offensive, or not bowing. We are a multi-cultural society. It is hard to not insult anyone ever.

Not if it was Howie Mandel.

I have terribly painful arthritis and hate to shake hands because I know it’s going to hurt. For a short time I explained it but that was TMI so now I just suck it up and shake. Stupid habit.

People are paranoid of disease but whatever.

Nah.

My life experiences has taught me a lot of things, and the issue posted is nothing to be insulted about, so long as there is no obvious disrespect present.

I understand if they’re just shy.

Not necessarily. Perhaps the person is shy or germaphobic. If neither is the case, and the person’s just being snobbish, then their approval isn’t worth winning.

People tend to be insulted of other people’s behavior because they often think it is related to them. but the truth is, if someone refuses to shake hands, mine alone or generally, I would rather assume it was about them: either they have a problem, or an issue, or maybe yes, a religious view..

Not at all, in fact I would be thankful, I am not a physical contact sort of a person with people I don’t know.

I would understand completely if the intended recipient were to be this guy.

I wouldn’t be offended at them, I would blame myself for not being “likable”.
And, yes, I am aware that this a futile mindset.

I wouldn’t want to shake someones hand I didn’t know, why would I?

Maybe, if there was a deliberate attempt to offend. In most cases it is not so and I would let it pass.

Not if they just wasn’t into shaking hands, but if I saw them doing it to someone else then yes, I would be offended.

I like my lil bubble. Please don’t invade it, and I wont invade yours. As for shaking hands. In my line of work u get very dirty so handshakes are not common, and we don’t often greet people with handshakes were I live, so no it wouldn’t bother me for the most part. Now if I were in a business environment were it was accepted practice and they shook the guy next to me’s hand. I’d probably be irritated.