I want to ask you a very specific question here:
What would happen if you (politely) didn't shake hands? Would you get fired? Would the client not follow through with the transaction?
Some people might get offended, in my version of Judaism that's kind of a big deal.
From your statement, it appears that your self-heter to shake hands is coming from being image conscious, as you believe that they would see it as "awkward". Putting self-consciousness before Yiddishkeit goes against everything that Judaism stands for. Open a Shulchan Aruch and read the first 10 lines.
Perhaps you want to tell me everything Judaism stands for? I don't see where the first 10 lines in shulchan aruch apply here, of course there are rules, but those same rules have exceptions, that's where all the fun happens.
You tell 'em, Count! R' Moshe Feinstein z"l said that handshakes were yaharog v'al ya'avor. Some people like RMF when it's time to eat M&M's but not when it's time to explain to some important business lady why you can't shake her hand.
RMF never said Yeherag Veal Yaavor, not regarding handshaking in a business setting. He just refrained from giving a blanket heter in fear of it being abused, but according to Rav Sternbuch he held that there's nothing wrong with a formal handshake.
That's not an accurate quote of all parties you claim said that.
I didn't "quote" them, but they all I mentioned, and many more, hold that formal handshakes are OK.
LA2NYC/Freddie/others – I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. I tried to mix in humor with some real questions. I understand your reasoning but don’t agree with some of it. An example would be the workplace. If anything handshaking should be forbidden there. How many affairs do you think start at the work place?
How many affairs started without the precursor of a handshake?
Cmiiw but even poskim who are matir because its not chibba, that is only in extenuating circumstances where due to the nature of the circumstance the chibba is removed.
Do all your rabbis hold you can shake your neighbors hand good Shabbos? Of course not! (I would imagine).
By these poskim, "extenuating circumstances" was when a person might get offended by having their hand stretched out mid air with no response from the other party. Look in the Tshuvos and see for yourself.
So don't poo poo this serious Issur of negia, only shake where absolutely necessary.
There is no issur of negiah! none! there's an issur of negiah shel chiba. Period. Do you take change from a female cashier in the grocery?
Its not derech chibba and the notion that it could lead to an affair if you shake a woman's hand in the office is absurd. Having deep conversations is a much more likely way to lead to an affair to begin with.
+100
Your sheer ignorance and chutzpa is amazing. Since when are you qualified to decide what halacah calls chibba? If anything you are the one in the gutter! Chibba does not mean a sexual act. It means an act of friendship closeness or trust. At least that's what Reb moshe feinstein and many other contemporary poskim hold.
It has nothing to do with leading to an affair, the act itself is ossur, either mideoraysa or miderabonon.
Halacha doesn't say what's considered chiba, if you know of such halacha please enlighten me. חיבה means fondness, affection, not friendship. And please stop misquoting RMF. Thanks.