The 3-Way Shake

One thing that no leader can do without in forging an alliance is the actual physical handshake. But hands are normally shook a pair at a time and that can be a problem in situations where there are multiple parties involved. To combat the challenge of maintaining parity in the special case of a three way alliance, especially in international relations where appearance is everything, leaders have successful come up with the 3-way shake.

Getting it done:

- The 3 leaders start by forming a rough triangle while making sure that none of their backs are turned to the cameras. Note: Cameramen must necessarily be arranged as a single short line and not be allowed to encircle the leaders.

- Now all 3 leader grabs each other's hands while maintaining a lefthand to lefthand & righthand to righthand pairing between them. At this point its a good idea to check for any loose hands. Observing schoolgirls play their games will help here.

- After all the 6 hands form 3 neat pairs of simultaneously shaking hand, the leaders have to again adjust themselves to face the cameras while not seeming ungainly.

- An important last check at this point is conducted by making sure that each leader has both his hands crossed across his torso to perform the 3-way shake. This eliminates the possibility to shaking one's own hand.

How it isn't done:

In this picture from 2007, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India, Former South African President Thabo Mbeki and the Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attempt a 3-way shake with disastrous results. Although the South African and Brazilian Presidents perform their part of the maneuver commendably, the Indian Prime Minister clearly breaks the 4th rule and the 2nd rule of the 3-way shake and is seen here possibly trying to shake his own hand. Bravely though the three leaders try to hush up the glaring faux pas which had thankfully gone unnoticed until now.