Literal translation
to touch the hand
Meaning
to shake hands
Explanation
In Provençal, "to shake" is sarra, but it implies gripping firmly, embracing. There's also quicha, "to press", sometimes used for the hand. The most common expression remains touca la man, hence the regional French toucher la main for this everyday gesture. There's a possible ambiguity: saying one "touched" someone's hand doesn't mean groping their palm, simply shaking it. Generally, only men "touch hands" this way, and not systematically at every daily encounter, where a verbal greeting suffices. Between people on first-name terms, one prefers "hòu" or "adieu" followed by the first name.