Posted on 03/09/2020 7:09:44 PM PDT by hapnHal
Does coronavirus make it okay to leave people hanging when they offer a handshake?
Coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the Tampa Bay area.
Handshakes can spread germs, and with the continued spread of the new coronavirus, not to mention flu season, people may be dreading social situations that normally include a hearty handshake. In Florida, 12 residents had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Monday afternoon.
Etiquette expert Elaine Swann says that in the modern era, handshakes remain an important part of business deals and socializing. Tampa Bay career and executive coach Dianne M. Kipp said she even has an exercise she does with clients that involves handshakes as a way to move past disagreements and strengthen bonds at work.
“Shaking hands is still normally the proper way to greet someone in 2020,” Swann said. “However, it’s perfectly fine to hold off on shaking hands right now.”How do you turn down a handshake without making it awkward? Swann said it’s all about honesty and body language.
“Right now, I’m not shaking hands, but it’s very nice to meet you,” she advises telling people.She recommends signaling by clasping your own hands together, either in front or behind you, in anticipation of an unwanted hand. She also says that nodding politely can show you’re still being cordial and are actually excited to meet someone.If you stick out your hand and get left hanging, she says don’t take it personal and don’t linger on it.
“Bring up a new topic, and keep the conversation moving forward."A 2014 study showed fist bumps can spread 20 times fewer germs than a handshake, but Swann says you should never offer a fist, or an elbow bump, when the other person offered an open hand.
(Excerpt) Read more at mail.google.com ...
Good idea, every time ya shake someone's hand, immediately whip out your hand sanitizer and decontaminate with it before it crawls up your arm and heads to your nostrils.
It would be polite to offer the other person a squirt...
Here’s how you do it. Act like you’re going to shake hands, but don’t quite take the other person’s hand. Then jerk your hand back, look at them sideways and laugh. Say, “Gotcha!”
Hmmm...Better yet, put it in a squirt gun and squirt them with it from a safe distance.
Elizabeth Warren greeting, “how” (hand raised, palm forward)
I have been doing the same thing. It puts a little bit of humor in the situation and takes the edge off any potential awkwardness.
I do like the way you think...
The article errs. If properly done the lips should not touch the hand unless you already know the lady. Dry lips. Dry lips. Dry lips. Did I mention with dry lips? Also it is not appropriate to kiss the hand of an unmarried lady.
And if a man kneels and attempts to kiss a lady’s hand I suggest she exclaim loudly her joy at their coming nuptials. That should put a flea in his ear.
Butt bumping.
I’ve been doing exactly what this gal says to do/say....I’m not shaking hands, right now.
No one has seemed offended by it, that I know of.
This is a ridiculous concern - everyone has heard about the coronavirus, no one is going to be eager to shake hands. Fist bump if some hand contact is absolutely demanded.
The spread zone is 14 feet from an infected person and it lingers in the air up to 30 minutes.
Shaking hands ain’t the problem...
“I don’t wanna shake hands with you, BITCH!!!”
Point made.
Many older Asians clasp their hands together as though in a muff & shake them up & down vs shaking hands. Or used to.
Yeah. or wet-wipe packages.
There’s a youtube video of the “Wuhan handshake” which = bumping elbows. LOL.
And a French spoof of folks grabbing each others’ crotches. Sheesh.
I don’t want to touch anybody else and I don’t want them touching me.
Handshaking is an archaic and invasive, germ spreading nuisance.
Fist bumping has been working for me.
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