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The Left Handshake
The Left Handshake
Scouts all over the world shake hands with the left hand.
How did this left handshake come about?
The idea came from the Ashanti warriors Baden-Powell met in West Africa in 1896. When Baden-Powell saluted the Ashanti warriors with his right hand, the Ashanti chiefs offered their left hands instead!
They told Baden-Powell, "In our land only the bravest of the brave shake hands with the left hand." This was because the Ashanti warriors carried their shields on the left hands. If they remove their shields, it means that they are removing their protection. Only the brave warriors would remove their shields and shake with the left hands.
Baden-Powell said, “When you use the Scout salute or handshake, remember that they are signs of respect and courage.”
Did you know...
Did you know...
In some Scout books, it was explained that Scouts shake with the left hands simply because it is the hand closer to the heart.
Some people also claimed that the reason why Baden-Powell wanted Scouts to shake with the left hand was to promote ambidexterity, that is, to be able to use both hands for different tasks, at the same time!
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