Is handshaking only for modems?

Speaking of disrespect, I almost forgot about an incident shortly before the November election in which Stefan Sharkansky claimed to be snubbed by Dave Winer:

Dave Winer refused to shake my hand because I'm a Republican. He also told me that he'd be more comfortable with the Iranian mullahs possessing nuclear weapons than with George W. Bush possessing nuclear weapons. Yes, he really said that.
And that's the caption Stefan Sharkansky provides below the actual picture of Dave Winer refusing the handshake.

Is refusing to shake hands a form of disrespect?

It might be that and more. Shaking hands is an ancient, time-honored means of nonverbal communication which establishes trust between two human beings. With ample justification, the Nixon Foundation goes so far as to argue that the politics of a handshake is "always of historical signifigance." (Sometimes, there's religious significance.)

I'm not arguing that the refusal to shake hands in a Seattle bar was an earthshaking international incident. It would normally be an eminently forgettable incident.

Had it not been for the contentiousness over laughter at a lecture called "A Respectful Disagreement"), I'd never have remembered it.

posted by Eric on 05.09.05 at 08:11 AM





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