What would you do if you were introduced to someone and you didn’t know whether or not to shake hand

What would you do if you were introduced to someone and you didn’t know whether or not to shake hands? A. You could keep your hands in your pockets in order to avoid shaking hands. B. You could wait and see what the other person does and then you could do the same (shake or don’t shake hands). C. You could be the first person to give your hand.

This is a common social situation, and the recommended approach is:

B. You could wait and see what the other person does and then you could do the same.

Why?

This follows the principle of mirroring social cues, which minimizes awkwardness.

It respects cultural or personal differences (some people prefer not to shake hands).

It avoids the risk of forcing physical contact if the other person isn’t comfortable.

Option A (keeping hands in pockets) can appear closed-off or uninterested.
Option C (being first to offer your hand) is polite in many Western contexts, but if you're unsure, waiting for a cue is safer.

So B is the most universally adaptable choice.