Scientists at Israel 's Weizmann Institute secretly filmed this meeting . Participants touched their nose 22 per cent of the time after shaking hands . The sniffing doubled when people of the same gender greeted each other . Those of opposite gender touched their right nose less after shaking hands . Researchers say handshakes allow us to subtly mimic each other 's odour . They say this helps explain how the handshake evolved in the first place .
Scientists at Israel 's Weizmann Institute secretly filmed strangers meeting . Participants touched their nose 22 per cent of the time after shaking hands . The sniffing doubled when people of the same gender greeted each other . Those of opposite sex sniffed their right hands less after shaking hands . Researchers say handshakes allow us to subtly sample each other 's odour . They say this may explain how the handshake evolved in the first place .