A Revolution in Greeting Affairs

It’s time to say goodbye to the handshake. Performed at the recommended foot-andAddressing the press after Victoria’s second a-half distance, the Japanese bow is refined surge of cases, the Prime Minister declared that and meets the hygienic requirements of a handshakes are out of the question for “a very COVID-19 beating greeting. long time”. Researchers and medical officials have impressed on us the danger of ubiquitous Second on the list is the fist-bump. Aside handshaking in a pandemic. It has become from the issue that it doesn’t avoid the skin to clear that a revolution in greeting affairs is in skin contact that has killed the handshake, I order. object to it on grounds of absurdity. I can only Handshakes are so ingrained within our culture by deals sealed with the fist-bumping of the that departure from the practice may very global elite. It would be as if Tony Hawk had well be the hardest behavioural aspect of the suddenly become the President of the United crisis. Handshakes have defined historical States, although I understand that this would relationships and sealed some of humanity’s be a relief for many. biggest deals. It’s no surprise that leaders have been unable to end the practice of the handshake six months into the pandemic. A Revolution in The versatility of the handshake will be sorely missed. From greeting an old friend to ending a particularly important business meeting, the Greeting Affairs handshake was useful in many situations. Alas, the handshake was also useful as a vehicle of By Eammon Gumley transmission in a time of uncontrolled viral spread. This is not the first pandemic the First on the list is the Japanese bow or ‘ojigi’. cringe at the prospect of a world characterised handshaking world has had to deal with, and This brings us to my last suggestion, which I wonder whether this is the first time that comes from South Asia. In a similar way that authorities have targeted the handshake. the handshake formed into a near worldwide Alternatively, the handshake could be just as practice, the ‘namaste’ has the respectfulness resilient as the very virus it currently helps to and sophistication of a firm handshake whilst transmit. lacking the viral potential. Current users of the greeting are Narendra Modi (see Indian Prime As the handshake becomes outdated and Minister) and Prince Charles (see repudiated dangerous, the time is now for a radical shift Emperor of India). Long the culturally towards alternate forms of greeting. I have appropriated symbol of yoga instructors compiled a quick list of global alternatives to (and the Crown Prince), the ‘namaste’ is a the handshaking of yesteryear. solid competitor for the zeitgeist of the postpandemic world. This practice originates in Japan and consists The struggle to replace the handshake will of a slight tilting of the body downwards at be a long and arduous task. The practice the waist. I have been told that it is important that started as a demonstration that one was to keep a straight back during the bow, as unarmed has evolved to become the currency a bent back could be a sign of lethargy and of professionalism. The handshake has served disrespect to the recipient. I imagine this is a us well but was ultimately too intimate for its similar experience to receiving a limp/floppy own good. It will be missed. handshake from an unfriendly colleague. Vale the handshake