When a man first holds out a hand to a woman - is it polite?

In Poland it's not very polite when a man first holds out a hand to a woman. Is it the same in UK or anywhere else in the world?

Its ok for a man to shake a womans hand here. It is also ok to say hello, hi, etc anytime of day to friends and strangers alike. :)

ye but in poland man never extend his hand first to a woman cause it isnt polite...

Aye..but the Op was talking about the UK..

In Ze Netherlands it is no problem if a man first holds out his hand.

do you kiss ladies' hands out there?
i mean when greeting.

Hand kissing is something from older times. I think now you do it only when you want to make a special impression?

Haven't seen it done in the uk for ages. What other other things should a visitor avoid doing in Poland,that would be considered rude?

Do it all the time in the US.

give up your sit to a lady in a train, bus, tram......

why is that considered rude?

because a woman is "more important" than a man

it's like the following relations:
elderly/young
superior(boss)/employee
women/man

In the Southern US a handshake is certainly acceptable; however, I have found that women tend to offer their hand before the man does (perhaps he is worried the woman won't accept his hand?).

that's true but one can still do it with old friends etc.. in one's circles, if you will.


that's not rude but the way to go..

Are you sure this is rude ?

If you cant shake hands, kiss hand, give a kiss on the cheek - what do you do?
Just say "hello" ?
For example, if I was meeting a friends wife for the first time.

friends wife... make out? lol.. shake, kiss, hug or whatever seems would be ok.

also, you don't call peeps in poland by their first name unless "allowed" by them. noramlly reserved for friends.. you always start with sir/madam..

it is rude not to give your sit up to a lady, not only bonny lass

Aha, that makes sense now.

You should give your hand to a woman like that.

my boss is a women, I don't know

I went back to poland recently and I loved that guys kissed my hand and opened doors for me. Its part of the reason why polish girls tend to date polish guys- i think- they are gentleman (although not all!) which is were foreign guys can get an advantage

I opened my car's door, the other day, to an elderly lady and was told: you're a real gentleman. She looked very surprised, and I was very pleased :)

Thread attached on merging:
do polish men kiss womens hands??

I am writing a story which involves a young polish man in the uk meeting an english woman from a chat room. This is not a romantic date. Would he kiss her hand when they met the first time. Would he kiss her hand when they said good bye? He then meets her friend an old lady would he kiss her hand? thank you for any help

may want to search the forums.. there have been some discussion about that recently.

but if this pole is in england then most likely NO would be the answerS.