A senior estate agent has described to The Neg how a customer refused to shake his hand despite several opportunities to do so.

Daniel Davie (pictured), who is a Partner at Inskip & Davie based in Sandy, Bedfordshire, says he was “saddened and bemused” by the experience.

“I don’t shake estate agents’ hands”

He explains: “I carried out a property viewing recently and met a couple on site. I was early, all ready with the house all open, awaiting the viewers to arrive being my typical happy self.

“Once they arrived, I greeted Mrs Viewer, introducing myself and shaking her hand. I then turned to Mr Viewer, offering the same greeting.”

But Mr Viewer declared as my outstretched hand was offered to him: “I don’t shake estate agents’ hands”.

“‘Excuse me?’ I questioned in disbelief.

“But he again replied, ‘I don’t shake estate agents’ hands’.”

Character reference

Davie went to say that “those who know me, know I am not someone to bow down, if I believe anything is unjust – so I informed Mr Viewer that I was born locally in a Police house as my father was the local policeman’.

Davie adds: “I continued with my proud character reference by adding that I’m 58 years old, attended all the local schools, my parents used to live two doors down, and that in all my 35 years as an estate agent I have never been refused a handshake.

“Again, Mr viewer asserted ‘I don’t shake estate agents’ hands’.”

‘No’ he abruptly snorted.”

So Davie opted for one last try, asking the buyer:  “In that case, shake my hand as one human being meeting another human being.”

But the buyer “abruptly snorted” in response.

Davie says: “I was bemused and couldn’t stop advising him that I found him rude. He then threatened to not view the house, to which I informed him he would be.”

Carried shoes

Davie says that not only did he show them both round the house, taking as much time as possible, he carried their shoes from the front door to back door – as well as giving the couple space, and offering to answer any related questions.

“I did my job,” he says.

Once he had confirmation that they were entirely finished and happy to leave, Davie shook Mrs Viewer’s hand, adding: “As odd as it felt I made no attempt to request the same common decency from Mr Viewer.

I am still saddened and bemused.”

“What pain he must feel, who hurt this man? How can someone be so narrow minded to leave such an impression on any professional person who they then may be called upon to help make a property purchase.

“I am still saddened and bemused.”

Two years ago, Davie was also in the news for challenging Rightmove to accept that a cloakroom cannot be counted as a bathroom in property descriptions.