Is shaking hands a good idea?

[tandfman]

I didn't want to hijack the current famous person handshake thread, so I thought I'd share this with a new thread.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/healt ... greet.html

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2009/ ... greet.html

As the world braces for a second wave of the swine flu that broke out in the spring and resulted in the deaths of more than 2,100 people worldwide, the disease is altering long-established patterns of everyday greeting. Handshakes have been cut short, kisses aborted. Warm embraces have been supplanted by curt pats on the back.

[Marlow]

People at my place of work really have gone to Obamaian fist bumps ( :wink: ) as the primary manual salutation now.

[gm]

I got your salutation right here.

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/09/ha ... ts-end-it/

[jules]

I assumed "shaking hands" was a euphemism. I have actually "shaken hands" with very few of the people that I mentioned. Perhaps because I am a female.

[Marlow]

I got your salutation right here.
/09/hand-shaking-is-so-medieval-lets-end-it/

Interesting article but I'm one of those creepy-weirdo commie-pinko touchy-feely people who LIKES the physical contact in a greeting. Must have something to do with being weaned too early. Just because I was going to kindergarten doesn't mean I had to go off the dole, does it?! :twisted:

[tandfman]

I assumed "shaking hands" was a euphemism. I have actually "shaken hands" with very few of the people that I mentioned. Perhaps because I am a female.

So by your definition, those people who greeted and were greeted by the Queen of England but didn't actually shake her hand, did shake her hand because shaking hands includes non-shaking hands?

[IanS_Liv]

So by your definition, those people who greeted and were greeted by the Queen of England but didn't actually shake her hand, did shake her hand because shaking hands includes non-shaking hands?

The Queen's an exception because she doesn't shake hands with anyone. You're supposed to bow/curtsey when you meet her. I think you can kiss her hand when you received a medal or a knighthood though.

[tandfman]

Sir tandfman? I like that!

But I don't think it's going to happen any time soon.

[IanS_Liv]

Sir tandfman? I like that!

But I don't think it's going to happen any time soon.

Hey, even Brits who've spent 40 years doing charity work in their free time outside their 60 hours per week job only get an MBE which is 5 levels below a knighthood. Win 2 or more gold medals at an Olympics, however, and you're a shoo-in.

Assuming you're American tandfman, I thought Americans were barred from accepting honours from foreign governments? If you're Canadian I think you have to kick the French out of Quebec or something ...

[tandfman]

Win 2 or more gold medals at an Olympics, however, and you're a shoo-in.

Thank you for the advice. I'll get working on that.