The first time someone did it to me I didnt know what to make of it.

I was in the playground and this mate of mine told a really good joke and then held out his hand for me slap. Well, it wasn't really a full slap but a more of a slow 'high five' thing. I obliged. I slapped his hand but now I wish I hadn't.

Since then everytime he has told an amusing story he held his hand out for me to slap. Sometimes it got ridiculous and he held his hand out even when we werent joking. Once he did it a funeral.

It is hard to say where or when the hand slapping action originated. But one thing is for sure - it is very hard to avoid.

When one is in the company of a regular slap my hand man one must be as courteous and as polite as possible. For instance once I decided not to slap the brother's hand. He didn't take too kindly and thought I wasnt being friendly enough or I didnt find his jokes funny.

Another time a group of us were stood around telling jokes. This guy told a joke and held out his hand. I didnt slap it so he moved on to the next one. The guy next to me didn't slap it either until a third well-mannered gentleman with a small moustache duly obliged. The joke was so much funnier.

Problems also occur when two 'slap my hand men' meet. This can become quite confusing for the non-hand slapper. I was in the company of two of these gentlemen recently and I ended up having to slap both their hands everytime anything funny was said.

By the end of the conversation I was very tired and promised never to put myself in such a situation again. I decided to dream up ways to avoid it.

As most people who do this thing are nice people it is difficult to want to disassociate yourself from them. After all it is only a habit.

It is also strange that this is a male trait and the female of the species are not known for holding out their hand when in conversation. However, they do exist somewhere I am told.

To avoid having to slap someones hand everytime they tell a joke it is best not to do it in the first place. The guy will immediately get the message and will not hold out his hand out again.

If this doesnt work - when the bloke holds his hand out take a full 'Dennis Lillee' run-up and slap dunk his hand so hard he will think twice before holding his hand out in front of you again.

For the really brave and mean sons of B***** among us simply put some change into the palm of his hand. He will feel humiliated especially if you happen to be standing amongst his peers.

However, in certain cases the whole process can be reversed. Another breed are among us commonly known as the 'hand-slappers'. After telling a joke they will raise their hand and expect you to hold out your hand in return.

They come in all shapes and sizes from 'aggressive slappers' to 'experienced slappers'. The latter can be seen in many front-rooms and lean over from one sofa to the next to slap your hand.

What does one do?

You can either oblige....or do the sensible thing and leave them hanging. In which case they will just touch your knee and return to their seat.

The first time someone did it to me I didnt know what to make of it.

I was in the playground and this mate of mine told a really good joke and then held out his hand for me slap. Well, it wasn't really a full slap but a more of a slow 'high five' thing. I obliged. I slapped his hand but now I wish I hadnt.

Since then everytime he has told an amusing story he held his hand out for me to slap. Sometimes it got ridiculous and he held his hand out even when we werent joking. Once he did it a funeral.

It is hard to say where or when the hand slapping action originated. But one thing is for sure - it is very hard to avoid.

When one is in the company of a regular slap my hand man one must be as courteous and as polite as possible. For instance once I decided not to slap the brother's hand. He didn't take too kindly and thought I wasnt being friendly enough or I didnt find his jokes funny.