Who said: "You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist"?

Most people learn that great first impressions about other people begin when they exchange confident hand-shakes. Indira Gandhi said, "You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist". And the opportunity to make good impressions can't be had. Gandhi made her comment during negotiations over a border dispute in the early 1970s, according to the 'New York Times'.

Common sense tells us that the normal intention when shaking a person's hand is to show mutual respect and trust. One cannot display any trust and respect with a closed fist. Instead of a handshake, seeing one shake a fist could leave a true paradoxical impression. The clenched fist is not be seen as peaceful, while if the hand is open it shows that the person is willing to act peaceful, or at least try. Clinical psychologists ask us to accept the idea that an open hand shows trust while the fist shows anger. Another way of thinking about it is that the clenched fist is a symbol of anger while the shake of a hand mean peace.

Gandhi stated, "A good relationship between two parties requires the respect, coordination, and compromises of both parties." We are told that they should act with open hands. Her quote is now being used to describe places where people for decades and decades have been working together with worthwhile peace and mutual respect.