Question

In European-American culture, a firm handshake often represents ___ whereas in American Indian and Alaskan Native culture, a firm handshake might represent ___?

1) respect, friendship
2) aggression, dominance
3) equality, trust
4) tradition, honor

Answer 1

In European-American culture, a firm handshake usually conveys respect, while in American Indian and Alaskan Native culture, it could be seen as aggression or dominance.

Step-by-step explanation:

In European-American culture, a firm handshake often represents respect and trust, signaling equality or professionalism in social and business interactions. Conversely, in American Indian and Alaskan Native culture, a firm handshake might symbolize aggression or dominance, and the norms around handshakes may be different, emphasizing less forceful contact. These behaviors demonstrate how cultural values and norms influence everyday interactions, and underscore the importance of understanding cultural differences to avoid misinterpretation. Personal space, physical closeness, and gestures like handshakes or hand-holding can carry varied symbolic meanings across different cultures, reflecting broader collective social beliefs that guide behavior.