23 The Office Handshake Meme Templates and Examples

The meme of a young Michael Scott shaking hands with his boss, Ed Truck, is a classic piece of internet culture from the TV show The Office. It comes from the episode "The Carpet," which aired on January 26, 2006.

In the episode, Michael Scott (Steve Carell) remembers his former boss, Ed Truck (Ken Howard). The scene then cuts to a flashback photo of a young, awkward Michael shaking hands with a confident and seasoned Ed Truck. The visual contrast between them is both immediate and hilarious.

People often use this meme to describe situations like: meeting someone important when you feel unprepared, feeling new or unqualified at a job, or experiencing a moment when responsibility is passed from an expert to a beginner.

The humor comes from Michael's uncomfortable posture and expression, capturing the self-conscious feeling of facing a respected authority figure.

We have collected 23 hilarious examples that showcase the range of this iconic meme template.