Shaking a woman's hand
What are the rules of engagement when it comes to shaking a female's hand when she is Muslim?
Since arriving I have heard a great many conflicting accounts--OK if her head is not covered, never ok, only OK if she offers, offer but do not be offended if she ignores it, offer and be offended if she ignores your hand, reject even if she offers, ok if you know the husband . . .
Thanks in advances guys. This one's got me puzzled.
Well, I deal with allot of different nationalities on a daily basis and have noticed that some woman will offer their hand even "Hijabed"(for lack of better word) ladies, and some other just don`t do it.
If offered then shake, if not offered then just a friendly greeting will suffice. I always wait for them to make first move.
most of the muslim women in middle east do not offer their hands to shaker her. its something related to religion somehow as far as i know. anyway dont bother urself. just a salut with a smile... hi bye! finish unless ur so wanting to shake her hand ;)
No Arabic woman (exept for one nationality) will be offended when you DoNot shake hands. On the contrary, many of them will be offended when you do. So why take the risk; does it worth?!
Never shake hand with a female espeacially when her face is covered because in some cases they may feel offended.
As Frenchie said, depends if you are a westerner.. A local friend of mine told me that she does not mind when a westerner offers a handshake and sometimes even she makes the first move but when a non western person does the same, she feels offended thinking how can he do that when he is well aware of the culture here.. So it all depends on your skin color..
Used to be with you on this one! Britexpat's spot on...if it's offered take it, if not, don't. That said, western habit takes over sometimes and you go for it unconsciously, ending up in an awkward situation where they uncomfortably shake your hand or leave you hanging....luckily that habit dies after a while!
If you are clearly a Westerner, it's OK to offer a handshake to any female in a situation that you would for a male (don't discriminate). If she declines or ignores, don't be offended. Simply smile and slightly bow your head like a nod.
Why complicate matters?
If she offers you the hand - shke it. If not, just say Howdee, Hello, Salam a Leykum etc.