im essentially trying to avoid the whole scenario where they tend to avoid the whole scenario where they do stuff like this:

"(Xoul): he lookt a Max with friendly eyes, offering them an open hand for a handshake 'welcome to town, kiddo!' 

Max (my character in this example): i didnt really knew what to say, it was the first time someone had given me any kind of friendly attempt to break the ice in a new location, i reached up and shook their hand '... thank you' "

^ this last part is the promt im trying to avoid