Many people are curious about the meaning behind scratching someone’s palm during a handshake, especially between a man and a woman. While interpretations vary, the gesture can have a deeper, often romantic meaning in certain cultures.

In some social circles, “scratching the palm of another person’s hand with the finger” is seen as a “subtly romantic or sexy gesture that expresses interest or attraction.” However, this isn’t a universal signal. Its meaning heavily depends on the cultural and personal context.
Sometimes, it might resemble a **secret handshake**, which is “a unique greeting or handshake that denotes allegiance to a club, clique, or subculture.” These handshakes often include specific finger or thumb movements, recognizable only to insiders.

Outside of these contexts, the gesture may be completely neutral. “If it happens during a casual interaction… it might not carry any particular intention.”
In short, the gesture’s meaning ranges from flirtation to harmless habit, depending on who’s involved and where it happens.