On my Facebook feed, the meme on this page has appeared, and a lot of people have been opining as to whether or not they would shake Donald Trump's hand.
I view shaking hands as a formality and simple politeness. I think it is beneficial to be polite up until the point you exchange blows.
In a council race many years ago, my opponent ran a very dirty campaign and engaged in a campaign of smears and lies. Nevertheless, when I encountered him at a later date, we shook hands. I went through a very bitter divorce once upon a time, but when I met my wife's lawyer, I shook his hand. I don't understand not shaking hands. I don't understand not being polite. It is just what civilized people do. It seems people have been shaking hands since about the 9th century, and it developed as a way to prove one was not holding weapons and as a symbolic gesture of trust and sealing agreements. I see it simply as being polite and don't attach too much meaning to it.
I doubt I would ever be in a situation where I would be faced with the dilemma of whether or not to shake Donald Trump's hand. I don't travel in the circles where I would be introduced to him. I might attend a Trump rally if Donald Trump appeared in my hometown. I am a student of politics and would like to experience a Trump rally in the flesh to observe. Attending a rally would not indicate an endorsement. If he were shaking hands on the way to the podium, I would not be one pushing my way to the aisle to shake his hand, so I would not be faced with the dilemma of shaking his hand. I would not seek him out to shake his hand. If, however, I found myself somehow at a Trump reception rather than creating an awkward moment, I would shake his hand and mumble something pleasant like, "Nice to meet you, Mr. President." Does that make me a hypocrite?
I have not fully developed it, but I have this thesis in mind called, The virtue of Hypocrisy. Good manners and civility toward someone you do not like is hypocritical, but I think it a virtue. Good manners keep us from hitting people we don’t like. Good manners mean less violence. It is not that I am always opposed to violence; violence often solves problems and violence has its place but good manners keeps us from engaging in unnecessary nonproductive violence. In addition to reducing violence, good manners just makes life more pleasant, if not for you then for those around you. In Congress, people of opposing views often address each other as, “the distinguished gentleman from the great state of …” That is much better than saying, the SOB from ….”
Below are pictures of some famous people who probably don't like each other, shaking hands. I approve.
President Ronald Reagan shakes hands with Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev
President Richard M Nixon shakes hand with Chairman Mao Zedong
General Robert E. Lee shakes hands with General Ulysses S. Grant 
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