Journalism / The Shug

If a handshake tells a lot about who we really are, then what should we make of president Obama’s recent deployment of his signature handshake ‘The Shug’? “The Early Show” has counted more than nine instances of Obama combining a handshake and a hug into the more personal handshake-hug, or ‘Shug’. The handshake is an almost universal ritual of friendship and equality. Though its origins are unclear, one theory speculates that the handshake evolved from a meeting between two Arabian warlords. It was a custom in their culture to lower your weapons and kiss the hand of your adversary to demonstrate peace. However, it was also an insult to allow another individual to kiss your hand first. So both men opted to firmly grasp the hand of the other and the handshake was born. The handshake has always been an important aspect of American politics, as well. When John F. Kennedy was running for president he commissioned a study to determine just what the most effective handshake for him would be. This study resulted in his signature double hand shake routine where he would cup his left hand under his clasped right hand to display support and confidence. President Bush was known for his straight forward grip-and-pump technique with the fingers sliding lightly under the wrists. It has also been noted that Bush had a tendency to lean slightly forward to convey dominance. The handshake can also be used to send another kind of social message. Take for instance in the November 2008 g2o summit where world leaders stood to shake the hands of the men before and after president bush but declined to shake the hand of Bush himself. Or observe the look on McCain’s face whenever Obama employs his ’shug’ technique on his former opponent. The purpose of the handshake is to convey trust, balance, and equality. It is common knowledge that a strong handshake shows dominance and a weak or limp handshake is perceived as a sign of weakness. based on this knowledge, what should the american people make of President Obama’s new technique? To Ross Mcammon, editor of Esquire magazine and coiner of the term ’shug’, the answer is clear. “People want Obama to look like a president and act like a president, even in small ways” McCammon said. “This hugging, I wouldn’t be surprised if he backs off it after a while.”

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Reviews

September 05, 2009

Matthewtuckey

No. of Reviews	Overall Quality	Comment Followup
221	86.2% (333 votes)	4.0%

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Age	Gender	Location	Last Login
27	M	United Kingdom	November 22

Matthewtuckey reviewed Version 1 - Read 100% of the Item

You dive straight into directly asking the reader a question. It’s a good question to ask, but the first line isn’t the right place. Set the scene first. The Obama situation is a good one. Describe what you saw on The Early Show so we’re clear.

I think Urbis needs you to leave a free line between paras for formatting. It makes it easier to read as a reviewer.

Can you reference the Arabian Warlords’ story? Even though you are paraphrasing it, you should still hint to the theory’s origin.

‘has also been an important part of American politics.’ This would save a word and read smoother.

‘straightforward’- one word.

I think you need to go into more detail about the G20 summit meeting. Universally, shunning a handshake can have implications. What are those implications? In our lives? In the case of the G20 summit?

Again, I’ve not seen this moment when McCain receives the ‘shug’. What is his response? I watch the news, but haven’t noticed that particular moment.

‘The purpose of the handshake’- how do you know? Is this your opinion? Why not ask a psychologist? Or, find news articles through Google where surveys have been done on these things. Or, in these Google results, look for universities that are producing findings on this kind of thing. You’d be surprised how much detail people will go into.

Good quote at the end. You could round up with your own words, saying you’d be prepared to bet that he does back off it after a while. But you might not shake on it. Ho ho.

You might also want to ask whether, after years of politicians lying and being all ego, the handshake is of major importance. Certainly in Britain and probably in America, people are tired of politicians’ egos and just want to see somebody get the job done. But then on the other hand (unintentional pun) the handshake is universal and can’t be ignored.