Do you shake hands?

[soccerdad72]

Honestly, I really haven’t been in many handshaking situations in the past couple years. Pretty much all my vendor interactions (I’m a purchasing director) are still virtual and that’s most of the time I would do a lot of handshakes.

 

[mom2rtk]

Hasn't come up much lately, but I would shake someone's hand if offered.

 

[amcnj]

I would have to say that handshaking is still non-existent in my recent experiences. Similarly, some volunteer groups continue to meet only via zoom, while others have yet to hold a meeting of any type.

 

[disykat]

I have yet to see a case of COVID passed by a handshake, but some in the medical community say that handshaking is fine as long as you are vaccinated.

It is a very common route of transmission for the common cold. That is why I keep saying this isn't about covid, but rather about all the handshaking that did stop during covid (because of distance protocol) and my hope that would continue. My dad was a doctor and always thought shaking hands as a greeting was crazy. (Prior to covid, he wasn't able to comment about covid and is no longer alive.) I'm not afraid of getting Covid from a handshake. I'm sad that I'll likely be sick again soon after a two year reprieve from colds and viruses.

It was a shock after two years of no handshaking to have so many people want to shake my hand. I am decidedly uncomfortable with it.

 

[Karin1984]

It is a very common route of transmission for the common cold. That is why I keep saying this isn't about covid, but rather about all the handshaking that did stop during covid (because of distance protocol) and my hope that would continue. My dad was a doctor and always thought shaking hands as a greeting was crazy. (Prior to covid, he wasn't able to comment about covid and is no longer alive.) I'm not afraid of getting Covid from a handshake. I'm sad that I'll likely be sick again soon after a two year reprieve from colds and viruses.

It was a shock after two years of no handshaking to have so many people want to shake my hand. I am decidedly uncomfortable with it.

I think the good thing about covid is that it made us more aware of the transmission of germs and viruses via (close) contact. I think it will be easier to explain now than it was before. However, as it is a custom, and you don't want to do it, you will be the one to bring it up. A simple 'I don't like to shake hands' is sufficient. You do not on forehand have to explain your whole reasoning.

I haven't shaken a hand in 2 years and haven't come across anyone who wanted to. But I have a hospital visit in 2 months, curious to see what happens there. As it is a doctor thing to do to show trust, to open the conversation etc. but I think doctors will stop doing it completely.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I think handshaking survived the last pandemic and it will (unfortunately) survive this one too.

 

[disykat]

I think handshaking survived the last pandemic and it will (unfortunately) survive this one too.

Good point.

I think the good thing about covid is that it made us more aware of the transmission of germs and viruses via (close) contact. I think it will be easier to explain now than it was before. However, as it is a custom, and you don't want to do it, you will be the one to bring it up. A simple 'I don't like to shake hands' is sufficient. You do not on forehand have to explain your whole reasoning.

I haven't shaken a hand in 2 years and haven't come across anyone who wanted to. But I have a hospital visit in 2 months, curious to see what happens there. As it is a doctor thing to do to show trust, to open the conversation etc. but I think doctors will stop doing it completely.

Karin1984, I've spent lots of time in hospitals over the last few years during the pandemic sadly and certainly had lots of handshakes instigated by doctors - mostly by those who knew my dad. I returned them at times because they were trying to show respect for my dad (who used to work there and is the one who disliked the handshaking tradition.) It is very well entrenched in the medical tradition. I admittedly don't remember having hands extended to me when I was there with my MIL though who, though treated well, didn't have a personal connection to staff where she was.

I've been known to turn down handshakes my entire life both because of germs (Usually on my side and I'm trying to protect people - because like I said, I used to catch EVERYTHING and I'm always trying not to spread what I catch) and because some people squeeze too hard and it hurts my arthritic hands. It's not always as easy as it sounds. People don't like it because it feels like a rejection. There was one fabulous lady at church 20 years ago that I avoided because she shook hands like she was trying to take you down!!! This certainly isn't new to me. It actually feels harder now because people act like you're being ridiculous or political (or both) rather than just being puzzled.

I realize I'm not going to change the traditions, but I just had such hope that a long standing irritation of mine would ease. One good thing to come out of this mess. But today my hopes were truly dashed. Sigh! Maybe my new point should be Public Service Announcement - not everyone wants to shake your hand! In a era of respecting people's boundaries it's a surprise to me that it's so hard for people to grasp. (Pun worked out there!) Maybe my new hope will be that it will cease being considered rude to turn down a handshake.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Er, no. A couple of moist palms put the kibosh on that for me forever. Then again, I haven't been in a handshaking environment for quite a long time.

 

[AnnaS]

Was never a big fan but did shake hands in the past with people and church. Now much less. I would rather hug and turn my face away as much as I can or I bow and cross my arms on my chest.

Church - for us here in our city - everyone stopped shaking hands since Zika (or maybe Swine flu? I think Zika). We raise our hand - not really a wave, just raise the hand, look at everyone, left, right, behind, etc. and just whisper Peace Be With you. There are times when it happens, some will extend their hand. Many of us either put the hand up or sometimes our reflexes are too quick and we end up shaking someone's hand. I always have wipes with me.

We went to DE for Christmas mass and what a difference from here. They had the holy water out by the entrance. We have not had it out since COVID began. They shook hands and no masks (The city just removed the mandate again for private businesses).

Shaking hands - up to us. We do shake here and there - but we always have wipes.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I was never a fan of handshaking, and had hopes that temporary pandemic protocols would squash the custom for good. But it seems to be coming back a bit in DH's Lodge.

 

[JLong06]

I’m a teacher and a coach so a quick fist bump is quite the norm for me.

 

[Uncle Coaster]

I am a fan of a good hand shake, but completely respect anyone who isn’t. I will offer my hand and if anyone balks at it then I respectfully abide by whatever custom the other person prefers.

 

[Kitty 34]

I will shake hands if rarely offered but I'm definitely back to being a big ole hugger.

I, also, used to fist bump all the time when I taught in the Middle School.

 

[mrodgers]

99.9% of the people I interact with are coworkers and I know from standing at the sink washing my own hands and the stall door behind me opening then the main door opening and them leaving, I know who I can shake hands with and who I can't.

 

[TwoMisfits]

So, pre-leukemia and Covid - yes. Now, no. Although I also don't elbow bump either b/c that's odd.

Right now, it's a wave in Church or a head nod.

I do give hugs to friends and family who want one when I see them at their homes (not a hugging person in public) - b/c hugs are great.

 

[sam_gordon]

If someone wants to shake my hand, I'll shake. If they offer a fist bump, I'll bump it. If they wave, I'll wave.

Shaking hands doesn't bother me (never has, probably never will), but I don't want to make others uncomfortable, so I take my cue from them.

 

[Nox]

Yes, I shake hands.

Yes, people are gross. You think you're avoiding it by not shaking hands? Do you carry a tissue everywhere to touch doorknobs? Do you wear gloves to put your shoes on so you don't touch the germs you've picked up walking around? Swab your shoes and find out what you touch every time you touch them.

Sorry, this is just one of those things I think is ridiculous. Anyone who thinks they're escaping wallowing in other humans' germs by avoiding handshakes is just willfully naïve. Every surface you interact with has gross human all over it. And most germs you contact are not pathogenic.

 

[easyas123]

Yes and yes.

 

[starvenger]

My area is still masked and this is the first week numbers are really down from Omicron, so I went back to in person church again today. Everybody was shaking hands. I know that handshakes weren't the big transmission vehicle for Covid, but still. I had really hoped... Oh well.

Church - for us here in our city - everyone stopped shaking hands since Zika (or maybe Swine flu? I think Zika). We raise our hand - not really a wave, just raise the hand, look at everyone, left, right, behind, etc. and just whisper Peace Be With you. There are times when it happens, some will extend their hand. Many of us either put the hand up or sometimes our reflexes are too quick and we end up shaking someone's hand. I always have wipes with me.

So my church stopped doing handshakes years ago. Might have been after the SARS scare. I doubt anyone would turn down a handshake, but in a way the smile, nod and wave makes it easier to offer the "sign of peace" beyond your immediate area.

Personally I don't mind handshakes, but a lot of times it's a prelude to the "bro hug" and within my contact circle I know that we aren't ready for that step yet. Mostly because we all know that as a society we're bad at trying to keep our hands clean. (Aside: This does make me appreciate the "washy-washy" people on cruise ships more. Really is an important, yet thankless job).

It's fortunate that fist bumps have become an acceptable gesture. Reduces the amount of contact, and honestly feels less formal and more friendly.

 

[aprilgail]

2020 was no hand shaking but it's all back to normal hand shaking and hugging now- only thing that has changed is that once I shake hands I will use sanitizer as quick as is allowed.