[cridgit001]

Typically, in the west(America in this case) firm handshakes when first greeting someone is a sign of strength. Is this also the case in Japan? I know about the bowing and what-not but my Japanese teacher told us that you can do both and at the same time(bowing while shaking hands). I ask this because I wouldn't want to give a bad impression (by expecting a firm handshake and instead I'm responded with what feels like a dead fish) with lets say my girlfriends father or an employer. Thanks