That is so true, and I dislike overtly submissive or dominant people, which is definitely shown by a handshake.

Oh and I've noticed that I do adapt my handshake to the person I'm shaking hands with, if I see a burly man, I'll definitely prepare for a more firm handshake (though I don't think I've ever actually overpowered anyone in that respect) and when I see a tiny little woman I just take their hand in mine. Also, the majority of my handshakes aren't really proper, full grasp, hold tight, bob up and down handshakes, more of a hasty grab and let go affairs...:\

Pretty much customary not to. If I know the female well enough to shake hands, then a greeting is usually with a kiss.
Shaking hands is a male thing. I'm not saying it should be so exclusively, but you won't get many women here offering a handshake.
Like Kayliegh says, it's rare to non existent. Maybe it's a northern thing?

Vegan. A true lady would offer the gentleman the back of her hand with her palm facing down and would not request a handshake, but instead would expect a light kiss. Failing that...a swift punch to the shoulder will suffice.

Older than you, UK.

/me is mancunian

/me sees girls shake hands semi-frequently

Not gonna lie, I get the impression "now he's a poofter."

That thought (though without that particular slang) usually only crosses my mind if they lisp and mince.

I knows you is mancunian.
What does semi-frequently mean? You either does, or you don't.
In your job?

It depends on who I'm shaking hands with. I live in Louisville, Kentucky, so the guys seem to expect a strong handshake and the women expect a somewhat firm, but gentle handshake. Personally, I really don't like shaking hands... with anyone I know, I try to just hug if the situation calls for physically saying hello. If it's someone I see all the time, I'm much more likely to just wave or high five or fist bump or... really, anything other than shaking hands.

See, this seems really odd to me. My parents actually taught me that when your in a situation where you're meeting someone new, especially someone older, you should shake their hand. And it's very common place in business, among men and women alike.

Maybe my momma really didn't raise me right...

In and out. I'm not saying it happens a whole ****load but I do end up shaking hands with women quite a bit in day to day life. People's girlfriends for example, where there's a need to make a more committed acknowledgement of their existence than just "hi", but where a greeting-hug is out of line. They usually proffer, by the way.

Personally, I was never actually "taught" how to shake hands in any certain way. It just became pretty obvious after being put in positions where you experienced handshakes in various situations, and/or seeing it happen in your environment. I think the only guidance I ever had was people saying you should shake your interviewer's (for a job) hand firmly and meet their gaze directly and confidently. I can't really think of any teachings or advice beyond what I saw for myself.

Maybe it's just our culture, though. It just seems normal to me to always shake hands upon a first greeting, in a professional setting, regardless of gender. If I were shaking a male's hand, it would be firm, but a female's, it wouldn't be as firm. But it wouldn't be a sloppy fish. And it certainly wouldn't be a cheek kiss in any scenario. Not in the south, at least.

As far as friends are concerned, it really would depend on how long it has been since I've seen them and how close we are. For best male friends I haven't seen in a long time, it defaults to the standard half-shake/thumb-lock thing with a possible shoulder-bump and inclusion of a back pat a few times. For female friends, it's always a hug.

Otherwise, for casual friends, there is no shaking or hugging of anything. It's just a vocal greeting.

I'm sure there's a generational aspect at work as well.