Not only is it a germ swap, it is, IMO, very disruptive. It seems like we are moving in one direction toward the Consecration but then take a different route, and everyone goes casual. If there must be a sign of peace exchanged, why not have it at the very beginning of the Mass?
As for the germ-swapping, I stopped handshake several years ago. I keep my missalette in my right hand, and give a little wave with my left hand while I smile and say, “Peace be with you”.
I am a woman, so maybe that makes it easier for me to abstain from a handshake. It seems like a very common cultural thing for a man to feel obliged to return a handshake to another man.
It was, BTW, a man at Mass who gave me the idea of doing as I do. Always hated the handshaking, but I did it anyway. Then, one Sunday, there was this man who just kept both hands on his missalette and smiled and nodded to me.
Thanks for the input and advice. I do sometimes ty the little wave apporach and it is very good avice - especially since I am handicapped in the right hand from an amputation as a result of a burn injury; I still feel sheepish though.
More importantly, as you point out - it doesn’t feel right liturgically at all. It just seems to be a wierd interruption of the proper flow of the mass.
That is why I prefer the Latin - peace and no anxiety for me prior to the peace sign. I suppose the anxiety is also related to my injury - but - at any rate, I do appreciate your thoughts.