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Why a handshake has signaled power, distrust, and sometimes war for 3,000 years

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Russian President Putin Visits China

The handshake between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in Beijing in May this year lasted around seven seconds. Credit: Contributor/Getty Images

A handshake can seal alliances, demonstrate dominance or express open contempt. The history of this gesture is older than democracy and politically more relevant than ever.

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By Barbara Barkhausen

Source: SBS

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A handshake can seal alliances, demonstrate dominance or express open contempt. The history of this gesture is older than democracy and politically more relevant than ever.

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