Grasp, grin, repeat

The French have their double-cheek kiss, the Eskimos their nose rubbing and the Japanese their bow. But the Ghanaians have them all beat in the greeting category with their signature handshake. To practice it at home, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Engage a friend, acquaintance or unsuspecting fellow obruni (white person) on the street.

Step 2: Smile and extend your right hand. Mistakenly offer the left hand and you’ve done the equivalent of handing the other person your used toilet paper.

Step 3: Clutch the other’s hand firmly in the traditional style, palm to palm and you exchange hellos. This can go on for some moments into your pleasantries about the weather or $700B bailouts.

Step 4: As you separate your hands, press your index finger against their index finger and by applying mild pressure with your thumb create the snapping sound just as if you snapping your own index finger and thumb.

And then repeat when saying goodbye. (I don't have an accompanying photo, so please enjoy this shot of some grinning kids.)