Well, here we go, heading into another week of “social distancing” as we battle the spread of COVID-19. I hope you are well! While I’ve been staying at home, I’ve found myself thinking about the handshake. This traditional and polite way of greeting one another may end up a casualty of the coronavirus. After all, we don’t want to spread a lot of germs. At the same time, it is awkward to greet someone without some form of acknowledging gesture. Therefore, I’ve come up with a few alternatives. Check out this short video below for a few ideas, and then let me know which is your favorite!
Again, the choices are:
- The Bow
- The Swipe Right
- The Two-handed Clasp
- The Point
- The Open Hand
- The Salute
Do you like any of these alternatives? Which would you choose?
Hmmm….. I’m leaning toward a modified Bow (more of a Nod), or a Swipe Right (a.k.a. Wave). I’m thinking there are going to have to be different alternatives for different situations, since a wave seems rather informal.
Yes, I didn’t call it the “wave” because for some, that means moving the hand band AND forth. The nod is a good idea!
I’m leaning toward the Swipe Right. Although how about a wave? It’s hard to know what will happen. Does it mean that hugging will also stop? So sad.
How nice that your husband was a willing participant. Nice demonstraton.
I didn’t call it the “Wave” because for some, that translates to moving the hand band AND forth, which is very casual. I’m not sure about hugging, but I do think contact greetings will be on the decline, especially in professional and less familiar settings. I do believe that this will all eventually pass, and I don’t believe that hugging will ever go away because it is part of who many of us are! And yes, my husband was a sport. His general life philosophy is to be an invisible as possible:)
Yes, I dragged my husband reluctantly into helping out. His general philosophy is to be as invisible as possible:)
I loved that your husband helped you with this video and I am leaning towards the swipe right, but all of your suggestions were great alternatives š
Janine Huldie recently posted…8 Books From 2020 That You Need to Read
Loved the assistant!!! i vote from option 2 . Swipe right.
Swipe right is definitely the winner so far. My reluctant assistant gets big points from me. He tries to be as invisible as possible generally speaking:) Stay healthy, Alex!
The bow is my favorite. I lived in Asia for 9 years (3 of them in Thailand). As you may know, the Thai people put their hands together in front of them – sort of in a prayer position – and bow when they greet someone. I became very accustomed to bowing and find it a very nice way to say hello.
Fun video!
Diane Quintana recently posted…3 Tips to Control Clutter in Your Mind
I love hearing about this, Diane, and that they keep their hands together. That is not only respectful, but helps suppress to the urge to touch. Thanks for your vote!
My husband and I had a rather geeky conversation about how the journals of sociology are going to be filled with pre-corona/post-corona group interactions in the coming years. I truly hope that your video becomes one of the independent variables.
Seriously, though. Wonderful video. I needed this smile. I choose Jazz Hands.
Melissa Gratias recently posted…Are you struggling or thriving with working from home? (and a Captain Corona update!)
Jazz hands – how fun! Just thinking about professionals walking into a meeting and doing jazz hands is making me smile over here! I guess we will see how it goes. In the meantime, fun to do something “light” during this rough time. Stay healthy:)
I like the “swipe right” and the “point!” Great ideas!
Swipe right is getting a lot of excitement. Thanks so much for voting!
I’m liking open hand…but also, maybe a curtsey? š Love the video format!
I vote for #5. The bow is very elegant but I can’t see it fitting into our western culture, and the others are a bit too informal for a business setting.
Janet Barclay recently posted…Is your website giving you strong results?
I had another business person vote for #5 for much the same reason. So fun to see what everyone favors, right? Stay healthy, Janet!
LOL! This is great. I personally like “The Swipe Right.” However, what if you are left-handed, which I am not. Would they still swipe right, or would they swipe left? Just something to think about.
My major was international business in college, and we learned a lot about different countries and what is a proper greeting for those countries. Some of the gestures may not be appropriate in other countries. So, I would be very cautious about incorporating certain gestures when outside of the United States. Nowadays, you can easily do a google search and find what gesture is best in different countries, so as not to insult anyone. Thanks for sharing!
Sabrina Quairoli recently posted…From the Beginning – Tips to Remove Clutter in Your Home
I like the bow with hands together in front. I also like the virtual hug…throw your arms open but 6 or more feet apart…and say I am giving you a virtual hug.
Aww.. you are a hugger, Sue. I love that! I hope we will return to being able to give REAL hugs soon, as I know those who cherish touch are really hurting right now!
I totally agree that it is critical to be aware of the various customs if you travel outside of the US. For this reason, I doubt there will ever be one solitary gesture that is accepted worldwide (of course, you never know!). In terms of the left-handed, I think they can surely swipe left. The idea is one gesture, not a wagging hand that goes on and on:)
I LOVE this post, Seanna. What a great idea! I think I like the bow. My daughter says we should do the bow but with our hands in front of our chest like in prayer pose in yoga. It will definitely be interesting to see if this changes handshakes longterm!
Yes, a couple of people have suggested the hands folded in prayer post for the bow. I love that idea! Thanks so much for watching and commenting Angie. Stay healthy!
Great video Seana.
I love your creative alternatives to the handshake. I like the swipe right, but think that maybe, after all this is over the fist pump will be popular, even though it mean touching someone else.
It will be interesting to see what we return to, won’t it? Swipe Right seems to be the most popular so far!
This is so fun! Iām going with #2. The swipe. It seems natural and a gesture I might have already done if the other persons hands were full at the time š
This is turning out to be the most popular. Thanks for your vote!
I LOL’d right through this watching your husband say absolutely nothing! That would be my hubby too!! As a PO I feel like I should channel my inner Marie Kondo and do the bow. I’ve seen so many videos of her bowing in thanks as she says goodbye to items with clients, why not do it as a hello?!
My husband’s life goal is to be as invisible as possible! Thanks for watching, and for your vote!
I liked the bow Prince Charles did recently, with his hands clasped close to his chest. It seemed like a gentle and kind way to say “hello” or “No, I’m not shaking your hand.” LOL ? But, for me, I’d probably just do a quick wave. ?
Deb Lee recently posted…7 Essentials for Your Digital Home Office
The Bow and the Swipe Right have both been popular, and many people like the idea of holding their hands together for the bow. I think this is a good idea, if both hands are free. If you have an arm full of papers, that might complicate things. There is more to this than I thought when I got started!
Seana, I love you!
Seriously, you’ve been the source of my favorite posts during this time.
I’m voting for “The Swipe Right” but I’m all for bowing — and curtseying — without concern for gender.
Ooh, and jazz hands!
Julie Bestry recently posted…The Now Normal: When the New Normal Changes Quickly
I’m so glad you are enjoying my posts, Julie. It is hard to strike the right note at this crazy time. Swipe Right has been the favorite BY FAR, with the bow coming in second. I’d be happy with either. Stay healthy, my friend!!
I love the bow and the salute best! I wonder how things will change. I had heard Fauci taken out of context for saying he wishes people won’t handshake in the future, but he wasn’t even talking about COVID-19 – he was talking in general about the germs involved.
That said, human touch is so amazing. And I miss it. I wonder if we can just up those hand washing skills when this is all over.
I think human touch will return, but perhaps not in the we greet strangers. It will be interesting to see. So far, Swipe Right has been the favorite by far, followed by the bow. Anyway, a touch of “fun” during this crazy time!