Her grip was strong, definitely leaving his own grip in the dust when it came to strength. This was something he liked about the typical human greeting; a handshake says a lot about a person that was usually correct when assuming someone's personality type. Imenry, for example, epitomized her handshake by portraying a strong woman while Faer -- he figured that his analysis of his own handshake was factual based on his own observations of his character -- was generally week and non-withstanding. Over the years of greeting numerous humans, especially when he joined the Grey Wardens as a recruit, he found that their greeting was probably more revealing than the Dalish; a handshake said much more than a grab of each others shoulders.
Since knowing of his weak handshake (he knew she would be able to feel it), he had been trying a stronger approach and the grip he gave her was certainly an improvement since his very first handshake. He even felt slightly proud of this fact, even if embarrassed by how strong and domineering Imenry might be. He might have been slightly intimidated by her somewhat aggressive manner, but he was drawn in her apparent soft side. It was hard, these days, to find someone who seemingly found a balance between the two.
He would have replied that it was nice to meet her as well, but she had already begun to speak and, thus, he fell silent. But the statement was a true fact; it really was nice to meet her. Not only was she absolutely beautiful in Faer's eyes, but she also came with the very thing he mentioned above. Perhaps, later when a silence fell between them, he would mention that to her without blushing as red as a tomato (even if it seemed highly unlikely.)
To say the least, he was impressed. A compliment since Faer, in all honesty, was not usually so grabbed with such interest. Not even Viara, who had his curiosity through her background, or Deidre, who hadn't really interested him at all (possibly because he still didn't know her that well), managed this.
He shuffled his feet as they walked while answering, "Well, I meant not only as a mage, but also as an elf. I remember the look the big bulky one gave me when the Warden Commander recruited my friend and I. I'm sure you understand that us Dalish are not necessarily the best friends of the human race." He chuckled as if trying to laugh at the absurdity of the situation, but it was somewhat broken and weak. Although this was not entirely an uncomfortable subject for the former First, he still found it a little awkward to discuss with her, someone he barely just met. But she seemed adamant about the subject and something in his mind believed that she meant for this conversation to lead somewhere else, so he decided to let her ask whatever she wanted to inquire.