President George Washington would bow to guests at presidential receptions to avoid physical contact and the tradition lasted through the presidency of John Adams. Washington would rest one hand on a sword and the other holding a hat to avoid the remote possibility of anyone forcing a handshake! Thomas Jefferson ended the tradition of “bowing” by shaking hands when greeting people.
Source: Constitution Facts
Photo by Cliff1066
January 4, 2009 at 4:18 pm |
[...] Shaking hands at White House invented by Mr. Jefferson himself! [...]