Fuck that. I got "the swine flu" (or maybe just the regular goddamn flu which was JUST AS BAD THAT YEAR) without even leaving the house that, uh, month. I realize this says worse things about my life than it does about germs, but the point still stands. Germs are far more pervasive than we can possibly fight, no matter what MERSA-creating antibacterials we slather all over ourselves and our belongings.

Also, you know what's worse than shaking hands with someone? That awkward hand-dance you do a few seconds after meeting someone. The one where both parties try to evaluate if this is a situation in which they are supposed to shake hands. And sure, the guy's telling you his name, but all you can do is look at his hand from the corner of your eye and go, is he gonna do it? ARE WE GOING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN?

By the time someone actually commits to a course of action, I think I'd feel like a massive jackass to be like, "No thanks, I don't want to get your whore's disease." I mean, they just went through EMOTIONAL HELL to decide whether or not it was a socially acceptable time to extend a hand, and you basically just told them that no, it was NOT socially acceptable to extend a hand. They fucked up again! Back to Social Etiquette 101 for you, buddy, because I just can't be sure you wash after you take a steaming dump!

These are all personal preferences, though. I avoid the issue altogether by never being the initiator.

A couple of months ago one of our salesmen took another job. When he came to my cubicle to say goodbye, I extended my hand, but he wanted a fist bump. After a moment I realized he didn't want to shake hands...so I fist bumped, which I hate. I guess that's one way of not shaking someone's hand.

wow, that'd irk me like no tomorrow GG.

id have given him a fist bump..to the head.

ok maybe not, but thats what id have thought.

When the arthritis in my hands is flaring up I simply tell people my hands hurt.
Then I give the person a polite nod & smile.

I don't know how different cultures view winking at people.
Palin has forever ruined winking for me, though.

ok i mentioned this about a week ago in post #39.

looks like the First Lady, Mrs Obama just had a run in with muslim culture...if only she was on TFP and had read this thread!

Indonesian MP causes uproar with Twitter comments on Michelle Obama handshake | News.com.au

Well, that would have won the award for most asinine thing I've heard this week if it wasn't for that other...thing...(don't want to derail the thread).

should she have known better?

she's married to a 'muslim' after all isnt she?

a little bit of research into a culture you've never come in contact with would have been handy. At least a heads-up from Mr Obama himself since he spent a part of his childhood there.

what excuse should he have pulled? "sorry, but ive got a cold"?

That's a joke right? I mean, maybe he should have known better. Sexism is sexism, religiously sanctioned or not.

Why should she have to accept his societal standard that he not touch women he isn't related to; why shouldn't he make the exception and grant her the same respect he grants her husband, by her own cultural standards?

Well, he could have been honest and said 'My religion prohibits me from touching you', but that would have made him look foolish, which he is.

Yes, not necessarily her fault for not knowing. She should have been prepped on customs, etc.



Depends who you ask about that one. ;)

that was a half joke really. she is in his country after all. when in rome...

if you go back and read my original post #39, would notice how i remarked how i find it amusing when this sort of issue came up in the west. it happens a lot, and a lot more than you may think.

But I dont think telling someone that your religious obligations dont allow you to touch women is foolish. Its a two-way mirror. It probably seems foolish from the other side too.

It may seem strange in the west, but its very common to have a clash of cultures in places where cultures meet, especially here in the UAE. Ive seen many men (mainly young English men) meet muslim women and hug and kiss them not knowing that its a social taboo to touch the opposite sex. These guys are usually new to the country and have no idea about local customs. Should they have known better? yes they should. Should Mrs Obama have known better? given the level of power she's in and the access to this sort of information? the more i think about it, yes.

---------- Post added at 01:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:12 AM ----------



im sure she's got enough advisors that would have done their homework for her. surely someones going to get the sack for this one.

Well at least she didn't wave at him with her left hand and show him the bottom of her feet at the same time. She didn't, right?

I know when my ship would pull into overseas ports we always had to take a "local customs course" or we could go on liberty. But by the time we been on the town for a few hours most of us forgot most of what we learned. Maybe she was briefed and forgot or simply thought "fuck him, I'm not a second class citizen anywhere." Either it doesn't look like he was too upset or applauded by the contact.

If I don't want to shake hands, or if I'm just in the mood to be me, I bow.

I interview sick people all day long with all kinds of illnesses. I've perfected avoiding the handshake. My hands are always in my pockets, and if I'm not wearing slacks I'll put something in my hands to avoid making contact. There's a lot of nodding and smiling. If someone is adamant I'll say I've caught something and don't want to make them ill.

Cough into your hand as the person is extending theirs. No one wants to shake a germy hand.

Better question, how do you fix a really weak handshake? I hate when people give me a limp wrist or a super soft touch when I am trying to shake hands. It gives me the heebie geebies

I would just tell em straight up i dont want to shake their hands because _____________________ (give your reason). Just do it politely, honesty is sometimes the best policy.