Wash Your Hands, Jeffery!

 

I had to visit my bank manager today. I was sitting and waiting when I saw him come out of his office and move toward me.

“Hello, Calvin?” more of a question than a greeting. He then nervously extended his hand for me to shake. Eyes fixed on mine to see if I would respond or withdraw.

In those few seconds that pass, I now go through a process of doubt. Did he just go to the toilet? Did he wash his hands? Who has he shaken hands with already?

We reluctantly shook hands, not like the old days when people shook hands with enthusiasm. A strong handshake was the mark of a confident businessman. A handshake for someone well-known often involved cupping their hand in the middle of both of your hands.

COVID killed all of that and may be pushing the handshake into extinction. A recent survey of over 23,000 US adults showed that less than half plan to shake hands again after the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you often work with clients, contacts, and coworkers, how will you greet each other at meetings and events in a post-coronavirus future?

How It All Began

Handshaking is called dexiosis. It wasn’t actually invented; it evolved. As early as the ninth century, there are depictions of kings shaking hands. A handshake with the right hand was a way to prove you were not holding a weapon, as most people carried their weapons on their left side.

In medieval Europe, knights shook hands to check for hidden weapons. By the 1800s, handshaking was a common greeting. Etiquette manuals even had tips on how to do it right.

Perils of modern handshakes

Today, handshaking is used to signify agreement, congratulate someone, or greet new acquaintances. We have always known that handshakes can transmit pathogenic bacteria and viruses. How many times have you heard someone with a cold say, “I won’t have hands. I’m getting over a cold.“?

Touching surfaces with our hands can easily spread germs.

Now what?

If we are going to send the handshake into extinction, how are we going to greet people?

There are probably over 50 different ways to greet someone. There are many ways to greet someone. It can be as simple as saying hello without touching. Some people, like the Eskimos, greet by rubbing noses. This might be even less appealing than a handshake!

Ten alternatives to handshakes

1. Bowing or waving can help build cooperation and group connections. Plus, it doesn’t need any physical contact.

The Japanese have perfected this into a ritual. When greeting Japanese people, especially in business, know your status. This helps ensure you get it right. When greeting someone of a higher rank than you, your bow should be lower.

2. Fist bump: This form of greeting is particularly popular among younger individuals. Studies on infection control have also shown that this is much safer than a handshake.

The younger ones might mess that up. They complicate the simple fist bump with tricky hand and fist moves.

3. High fives: They’re better than handshakes but not as great as fist bumps. Why? Because your palm, the most infectious part of your hand, touches the other person.

4. Clap your hands: In Malawi and more rural areas of Zimbabwe, clapping hands is a standard greeting. People clap back and forth. One person claps once, then the next claps twice. Note that men clap with fingers and palms aligned, while women clap with their hands at an angle.

5. A simple nod: Good when you are meeting as a group of people or between friends. Australian culture has perfected this with a quick upward nod of the head accompanied by a “G’day, mate.”

6. A wave: A wave is a natural way to skip shaking hands. It works well in both personal and professional settings. Waving to someone from afar shows enthusiasm.

In closer contact, a quick hand raise lets you greet others. It shows friendliness while respecting social distance.

7. The ‘East Coast’ wave: Often called the “bro nod,” the East Coast Wave doesn’t need a hand raise. You can add your own style if you want. Raising your eyebrows and tilting your head up shows new contacts that you’re friendly. It also signals that you’re happy to see them.

8. Finger gun, snap, and click: This is a casual greeting. It’s a fun way to say hello or acknowledge friends, family, and kids.

“Finger guns” are when you point your index finger and thumb to form a “gun” shape with one or both hands. It’s a fun way to greet someone. The “snap & flick” is much the same, but there is a snap of the fingers before transitioning to the “finger gun” shape.

9. Hand on your heart: This is a lovely, heartfelt gesture. Putting your hand over your heart is a common greeting in many cultures. This is especially true among Muslims and those who want to show respect for their beliefs.

Place your right hand over your heart and nod slightly. This simple gesture lets you greet almost anyone politely while keeping your distance.

10. Eye contact and a smile: Friendly eye contact and a genuine smile; you can’t beat it.

It is a timeless hello that provides warmth and can be paired with any of the above, but really, it speaks for itself.

There are many other weird ways to say hello. In some countries, people greet each other by sticking out their tongues or sniffing faces. We can’t forget European greetings with cheek kisses. However, they are now viewed as non-COVID-friendly.

As long as we don’t adopt the dog’s way of saying hello, we should be pretty safe.

Till next time,

Calvin