At a recent conference, the emcee announced that some attendees might be reluctant to shake hands (with all of the media talk about colds and flu) and suggested it was perfectly acceptable to find an alternative greeting such as the fist bump. At first, I thought this was kinda weird. I mean, a public declaration that it’s OK not to shake hands? I always thought it was a business taboo not to shake hands.
This week’s Dilbert cartoon got me thinking. Is all of this talk about germs, colds, and flu ushering in new forms of greeting others?
Archaeological research shows handshaking was practiced as early as 2nd century BC. Since then, we’ve put people in space, created Google, and use plastic cards to pay for stuff. In all of this time, you’d like to think we could come up with something more interesting than the handshake.
And, for something that’s been around for literally centuries…we still don’t do it well. There are numerous articles, classes, and videos on how to shake hands. You’d think by now we ought to be able to get it right.
If we don’t want to shake hands because of a potential germ factor and we don’t know how to shake hands…let’s find something we’re all able to do, aren’t afraid of doing, and can do well.
So my vote is for the fist bump. Here’s why:
- You don’t have to worry about sweaty palms, limp wrists or someone sneezing in their hand and extending it to you.
- It’s been around at least since 1982 when Jeff Spicoli used it during Fast Times at Ridgemont High. So it’s almost 30 years old…not as old as the handshake, but it’s still established in its own right.
- The President and First Lady know how to do the fist bump…so we know our supreme leader and his wife won’t embarrass us at global and national social events.
- Even the Dalai Lama knows the fist bump.
- Lastly, the fist bump already has a national holiday on June 3.
Drop me your thoughts below about retiring the handshake and making the fist bump our universal greeting. Maybe you have a better option than both of them? Anyone who comments by Sunday, November 22 will be entered in a drawing to win the book Igniting Gen B and Gen V: The New Rules of Engagement for Boomers, Veterans, and Other Long-Termers on the Job
by Nancy Ahlrichs.
Oh and P.S. Just to show you how easy it would be to make the change to a fist bump culture, here’s a short video on the subject. Cheers!
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The HR Store says
There’s always the Indian ‘Namaste’ way to greet people. It serves all of the above mentioned purposes and maybe even does better, by avoiding all contact! 🙂
Mike says
I was at a party the other day where people had somehow all received a memo saying that it made more sense to bump elbows as a sign of greeting. Knocking elbows to say hi to 50 people is surprisingly uncomfortable. I don’t advocate moving to that.
Do we really need to touch at all? If we’re getting away from the handshake, I’d rather go to just a simple wave or a nod to say hello. I guess it’s more informal, but no more so than the fist pound.
tlcolson says
I vote for the fist bump. But I can see a Namaste (with slight bow or nod) – I’d love to get rid of the handshake – noone knows how, and my hands usually end up dirty. (its the industry)
Bonita says
I think that the fist bump is the natural alternative, but I am just not comfortable with it. Maybe it’s because I’m a woman – it’s kind of a guy thing. There is a possibility for injury – my ring may leave a mark. I’m shorter than most people, so my fist is a lot lower. And, it’s just not professional – kind of reminds me of a high five. I’ll suggest the old-fashioned waive.
Jaimie Field says
As long as we are being ridiculous, I think we should go back to when Men bowed and Women curtseyed. I would like nothing better than being in a room of my legal clients with a giant hoopskirt on and curtseying to the floor. Not to mention the fact that women would not be able to sit on chairs, It would be fabulous!
Jaimie Field says
As long as we are being ridiculous, I think we should go back to when Men bowed and Women curtseyed. I would like nothing better than being in a room of my legal clients with a giant hoopskirt on and curtseying to the floor. Not to mention the fact that women would not be able to sit on chairs, It would be fabulous! Oh, and don’t forget the extremely tight waist cinching corset!
Alex says
this is a joke, right?
fran melmed says
here’s another approach, brought with a sense of humor about it all: http://crumpleitup.com/b/2009/11/the-office-cure-for-cold-and-flu-season/
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akabruno says
if it is good enough for jeff spicoli, it is good enough for me. “awesome..
totally awesome!”
hr bartender says
Yes, of course it’s a joke. Or is it? In a semi-serious way, I’m just pointing out that there are many things we grow up doing and never question simply because that’s what we’ve always done. Until something about it disagrees with an every-changing society and we reexamine the need to do it.
As others mentioned above, there are many non-Western cultures that conduct very formal business greetings without any physical contact. I expect this post to generate more questions and conversation than changes to society. And the fist bump may not be the best solution – but that’s okay too.
Should we continue to walk into a room full of business executives and demonstrate that we’re not holding a weapon – the antiquated basis of the handshake? Or is it time to take a not-quite-so-joking look at this old social chestnut and, perhaps, give it a mercy killing?
Debbie Benami-Rahm says
As HR professionals, it is a great idea to start us all thinking about a handshake alternative for greetings in the workplace. This past week alone, in several different work environments, I was asked “not” to shake hands due to the other party being ill. Yes – first question, why are they at work while being sick? We all know that answer, people are too afraid not to go to work now. And next point: I am glad they did NOT shake my hand and were courteous enough to consider my well being. It was uncomfortable not having an alternative as we have expectations of some sort of greeting besides “Nice to meet you”. Greeting Etiquette for the 21st Century anyone?
Jennifer V. Miller says
Sharlyn,
Well, you’ve shaken it up again, as evidenced by the fact that someone is asking “are you serious?” You are posing a question that asks “Is a time-honored tradition still relevant?” Given the range of responses, you’ve clearly touched a nerve. Personally, I don’t know if it’s time to abandon the handshake. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. But it’s always good to wonder if something still has value and still makes sense in our current situation.
jkjhr says
Bowing is out, look at the heat President Obama took for bowing on his recent Asian trip. Plus always a chance of bumping heads (possible concussive effects worse than H1N1).
Fist bumping might be OK but seems more apt for the stands celebrating a touchdown. However, as Bruno point out, good enough for Spicoli..Dude.
Personally, I like the handshake. None of the previous flu (including the 2 or 3 other swine flu scares I seem to recall) has wiped it out. No one (other than Pres. McKinley) has died due to a hand shake.
hr bartender says
Thanks everyone for the comments! It looks like the handshake still has its place…but we need to allow for others under certain circumstances.
The winner of the book is Bonita! Congrats. Please send your mailing address to slauby@hrbartender.com and I’ll get the book out right away.
Have a fabulous week!