# Could we PLEASE eliminate shaking hands: forever??? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 9, 2020, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128 "2020-03-09T01:38:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/61 "2020-03-11T13:03:38Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Meanwhile, I’ve found my pathway to riches! > > I’ma buy about a thousand really cheap (I’m talking maybe five bucks a pair) ping pong paddles. And a jigsaw. Then I’ll cut all the paddles into hand shapes, dress them up with features to make them resemble actual hands, and sell them for twenty bucks apiece (possibly more, depending on how much labor is involved in the fabricating process). > > I may even branch out into hand-paddles with articulated finger joints and opposable thumbs, for people who PREFER to fist-bump. That part of the scheme is down the road a bit, though. They could start re-making those Doc Ock arms, which could also be marketed as a way for short people to reach small objects on tall shelves. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/62 "2020-03-11T18:39:19Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I really hope we can end it with this. I’m going to try to eliminate it for myself. Particularly handshakes with strangers. > > Quote: > Human touch can be important for wellbeing. > I’m sorry, but this is risible. Handshakes are obligatory in certain formal social situations. They’re not the key to our health. In the wheelchair, I can avoid handshakes by holding my hands aside and mentioning that my hands may be slightly dirty from the hubs, if I am on crutches, obviously I don’t have a free hand to shake =) and it is technically not entirely proper to shake hands in a sitting position, one is supposed to stand politely … and it is always up to the woman to offer her hand first, not the man =) I like the idea if the vulcan sign, I think I will start to use it, I think Leonard Nimoy would be thrilled =) And the human touch is really in reference to holding and comforting infants and small children, and the touch between family members [hugs, sitting next to someone, and snuggling especially in the case of lovers/spouses] The original study [as I seem to recall] was in reference to creching of infants and their not thriving due to lack of actual human interaction beyond changing diapers and feeding, bathing and the minimal tending. They would basically store infants in bascinets and do the minimal care to keep them clean, fed and reasonably healthy. THey also did a study with infant monkeys, they dodn’t thrive until they were given a surrogate mama to snuggle with. THey now also make teddy bearish plushies that vibrate like purring, or heartbeats to comfort both infants and young animals just separated from their mothers after weaning and adoption. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/63 "2020-03-11T19:41:17Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I really hope we can end it with this. I’m going to try to eliminate it for myself. Particularly handshakes with strangers. > > No one else but I touches those things. Why should I worry about them in particular? > > Over my lifetime we have become more cautious about those things. Doorknobs have become less common anyway. It’s rare to have to put your fingers on a knob and turn it, except for maybe the one door to your residence. So you don’t touch grocery store carts or the items IN grocery stores? You never, ever use your hands to push or pull open doors to public buildings? We use paper towels to shut off faucets after washing our hands and yo open restroom doors. I do that, too, as well as flushing public toilets with my foot, but I recognize that the paper towels may well have been touched by others. We wipe down gym equipment before and after use. I’m sorry, but this is risible. Handshakes are obligatory in certain formal social situations. They’re not the key to our health. [/QUOTE] Glad you got a chuckle out of a serious topic. :rolleyes: And you’re wrong. Look, I get it. You think people are icky and try to avoid touching anything they may have contaminated with their ick. You don’t like touches from strangers. That’s fine, and I’d stand up for your right to avoid doing these things, just as I do for my friend who has severe OCD. But [it’s well-documented](https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/hands_on_research) that casual human touch, including handshakes DO provide health benefits for humans. You don’t want to shake hands? Tell people that when they extend a hand in friendly greeting. But I’m hoping this doesn’t become the norm. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/64 "2020-03-11T19:51:39Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Look, I get it. You think people are icky and try to avoid touching anything they may No, no you don’t get it. I want to be free of the social obligation of the ritual handshake. There are many more ways to incorporate touch into our lives, even casual touch. Suggesting that this one thing is a major contributor to our health is ridiculous. > [@](#): > > You don’t want to shake hands? Tell people that when they extend a hand in friendly greeting. Which requires an awkward rejection. Better if that didn’t have to happen. > [@](#): > > But I’m hoping this doesn’t become the norm. Our hopes are incompatible. One of us must die. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/65 "2020-03-12T01:22:16Z")
I was trying to debunk **jtur88** ’s own cite – perhaps you should check that one out first. I never said that you should avoid ALL germs completely. > [@kayaker](#): > > I still shake hands and hug my friends who initiate it, but I’ve long avoided shaking hands with strangers. Sometimes I extend my fist, sometimes I feign ignorance to the custom. > > A few months ago at work I had a woman _aggressively_ stick out her hand wanting to shake. She refused to back down and my refusal to participate was just as strong. > > Here it is: > > Boyhowdy, was she ever pissed off! So you were almost hand-shaked raped? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/66 "2020-03-12T01:37:03Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I still shake hands and hug my friends who initiate it, but I’ve long avoided shaking hands with strangers. Sometimes I extend my fist, sometimes I feign ignorance to the custom. > > A few months ago at work I had a woman _aggressively_ stick out her hand wanting to shake. She refused to back down and my refusal to participate was just as strong. > > Here it is: > > Boyhowdy, was she ever pissed off! I don’t know whether this could have been a factor, but some men refuse to shake hands with women for sexist/misogynist reasons. That can be a source of frustration. But that’s it’s another good reason to jettison hand shaking altogether. There’s too much power play in it. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/67 "2020-03-12T04:10:38Z")
I didn’t shake hands with my phlebotomist this time. That’s a first. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/68 "2020-03-12T05:11:38Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > No, no you don’t get it. I want to be free of the social obligation of the ritual handshake. There are many more ways to incorporate touch into our lives, even casual touch. Suggesting that this one thing is a major contributor to our health is ridiculous. > Which requires an awkward rejection. Better if that didn’t have to happen. > > Our hopes are incompatible. One of us must die. Well, to each her own. I don’t think people should think twice about someone who can’t or won’t shake hands. But while it’s better for you if a rejection that seems awkward to you doesn’t happen, that shouldn’t mean those of us who have no issues with handshakes have to forsake them. Handshakes are important to me. If you think explaining that you don’t shake hands is awkward, imagine how awkward it would be to suggest handshakes if society were to view them as “wrong.” I’d rather keep things as they are, with the caveat that people are OK with someone who’s uncomfortable shaking hands. Then we could both live. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/69 "2020-03-12T11:41:29Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I don’t know whether this could have been a factor, but some men refuse to shake hands with women for sexist/misogynist reasons. That can be a source of frustration. Nope, I don’t want to shake strangers’ hands regardless of their sex. With people I know, shaking hands, hugging, even that Frenchie cheek kiss are all fine. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/70 "2020-03-12T13:37:13Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Nope, I don’t want to shake strangers’ hands regardless of their sex. With people I know, shaking hands, hugging, even that Frenchie cheek kiss are all fine. I don’t mean you. I mean the woman in your story. She might be sensitive to being refused a handshake because of sexism. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/71 "2020-03-12T13:45:19Z")
I’m fine with avoiding handshakes (always uncomfortable for me anyway) but please let’s not replace it with an “elbow bump” or “fist bump” or anything else. Let’s just say Hi or Goodbye. ETA: Or “Love long and prosper,” that’s great. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/72 "2020-03-12T13:50:52Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I don’t mean you. I mean the woman in your story. She might be sensitive to being refused a handshake because of sexism. Ahhh, yeah, I see what you mean. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/73 "2020-03-12T14:23:20Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > ETA: Or “Love long and prosper,” that’s great. :rolleyes: If we _must_ use some alien greeting, can we at least grab our ears & twist twice while saying, “Nano-nano”. At least that show was funny & people don’t still walk around in uncomfortable polyester costumes from it decades later. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/74 "2020-03-12T14:25:58Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > :rolleyes: > > If we _must_ use some alien goodbye, can we at least grab our ears & twist twice while saying, “Nano-nano”. At least that show was entertaining. Sorry for the typo. _Live_ long and prosper. Personally, while i think Mork and Mindy was slightly entertaining at the time, “nano-nano” was probably the most annoying aspect of the show. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/75 "2020-03-12T15:12:59Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Sorry for the typo. _Live_ long and prosper. To be clear, my roll eyes was at Star Dreck in general, not your typo. Here’s a clue people - The show’s been off the air for **over** half a frigin’ **century**! Let it rest in peace, stop wearing the costumes, stop going to conventions. Grow up. **Get a life!** > [@Star Drek by Bobby "Boris" Pickett & Peter Ferrara](#): > > _SPAAAAACE - The Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship > BOOBYPRIZE. Its five year mission - to sell T-shirts, toy phasers, > plastic communicators, and anything else we can think of. To seek > out new life in old plots and complications._ ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/76 "2020-03-12T15:22:41Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > To be clear, my roll eyes was at Star Dreck in general, not your typo. > Here’s a clue people - The show’s been off the air for **over** half a frigin’ **century**! Let it rest in peace, stop wearing the costumes, stop going to conventions. Grow up. **Get a life!** Dude. The show is still on. In fact two versions of it are on right now. And when are you going to tell people to get over dressing up for Shakespeare? (All this from a user called Spiderman) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/77 "2020-03-12T15:31:18Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > … > (All this from a user called Spiderman) Oh, you noticed the irony also? ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/78 "2020-03-12T15:40:47Z")
Yes I shake hands. Nothing wrong with the custom. I agree with Chronos. If I die because I contracted coronavirus because of it, feel free to chisel the above on my tombstone. At least I’ll die happy as part of the family of man. If I die because I drank too much Corona beer, well so much the better. 🙂 > [@glee](#): > > It’s hard to prove a negative. > Since **you** made the claim, **you** should back it up (with reputable cites.) That’s not really proving a negative. Not siding on the issue one way or the other but a purportedly scientific “fact” had been proposed. If it’s not true there should be studies to indicate as much. That’s basic debate. > [@dropzone](#): > > Utterly coincidentally, **if you believe in coincidences** , this song came up on the rotation when I opened this thread… Umm, what!? Who doesn’t believe in coincidences? Or were you speaking to pre-ordainists religion folks? ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/79 "2020-03-12T15:46:06Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Dude. The show is still on. In fact two versions of it are on right now. > > And when are you going to tell people to get over dressing up for Shakespeare? > > (All this from a user called Spiderman) I bet he pronounces it Spidermun (ala Letterman). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128/80 "2020-03-12T16:52:34Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Dude. The show is still on. In fact two versions of it are on right now. What the 46th & 47th versions? :rolleyes: Even William Shatner says it’s [played out](https://deadline.com/2020/03/william-shatner-captain-kirk-star-trek-picard-1202872876/). > [@Acsenray](#): > > And when are you going to tell people to get over dressing up for Shakespeare? Shakespeare is classic literature still taught in many HS & colleges. Yeah, you can find a college course or two on Star Dreck - [Top 25 **Strangest** College Courses](https://www.collegedegree.com/library/college-life/top-25-strangest/) > [@Acsenray](#): > > (All this from a user called Spiderman) It was a nickname given to me; I actually hated it but couldn’t escape it. I have never had a Spiderman costume nor have I ever been to a convention. I’ve seen (some of) the movies but never had a discussion about one more than a few days after seeing it, & that was more on the order of ‘what did you do this weekend?’ or ‘How was it?’. While collectively, I remember some of the villains I couldn’t tell you who the villain was in which movie. I’d be hard pressed to give you quotes from them. In short, it’s a nickname not a lifestyle. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-please-eliminate-shaking-hands-forever/849128.md?page=5)