Awkward Greeting
By Bensen32
@Bensen32 (27550)
United States
July 28, 2020 9:24am CST
I know this is a weird question, but I thought about it yesterday with the interview. Do you think we will ever go back to shaking someone’s hand when we meet them? It has always been kind of weird, I don't know them, I have no idea where their hand has been, but we shake it anyways, because it was "normal", it was the way we did things.
I know some other countries have different ways to greet people but here in the U.S. that was the way. It was actually odd to not shake the persons hand that was doing the interview. I was just like “Hi” of course she did say, “I would shake your hand but with the whole virus thing I guess that is out now”. We just both kind of uncomfortably laughed.
So now what is the new way to greet someone for the first time? I seen the elbow bump thing and that seems really odd and you are then getting within 2-3 feet from someone, so I think that is out. Do we just give an awkward wave from 6 feet apart? Do we go with the Japanese tradition of a bow? Not sure Americans are going to pick up on that. Do we just stick with the “hi, nice to meet you” and move on.
I don’t know what if anything is going to replace the handshake, but I can tell you from my experience yesterday it sure felt odd. I’m sure with time it will become normal. I think I will go with the simple “hi, nice to meet you” and just keep my distance.
7 people like this
7 responses
@moffittjc (118837)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Jul 20
I've seen news articles that said the handshake may fade into history after this pandemic. Not sure if that's totally true, but it will be interesting to see. The last two people I have been introduced to/greeted, in both instances they did the elbow bump thing. Maybe that's going to be the new norm.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118837)
• Gainesville, Florida
30 Jul 20
@Bensen32 I don't mind the elbow bump or the fist bump. I do see a lot of people just doing a simple head nod as a form of greeting, so at least people are trying to find creative ways to greet other than handshakes.
You're going to look funny doing a bow to people. Some people with big egos might let it go to their head and start thinking they're royalty if people bow to them.
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (27550)
• United States
30 Jul 20
@moffittjc I mean not a deep bow just like is little bit of one. Or maybe I will just start to ignore them completely. Besides many times it really isn't nice to meet them so why lie to them 
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (27550)
• United States
29 Jul 20
No way I am not doing the elbow thing, I think it looks stupid, I refuse. I would rather to the slight bow thing and I have decided that I am going to try and make that the new norm. I know it is a little odd in our society but I'm going to do it. The added benefit is I can do it from like 10 feet away, don't even need to get close to people.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53940)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Jul 20
We have to think of things now that were automatic before - like that handshake - or even hugs. That elbow bump thing is just weird. I wouldn't mind the bow, but that has always been part of my culture (Japanese) - it might be strange to others who've never done it. For now I guess we just have to think of no-touch ways to begin or end a greeting . . . hopefully it's not forever.
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (27550)
• United States
28 Jul 20
I rather like the slight bow, I have always disliked the hand shake I like my personal space to be mine but I did it cause it was the way things were done and I never wanted someone to feel disrespected. Maybe I will just start doing the slight bow and see what other people do in response. Maybe it will start catching on, I could start a new trend around here.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53940)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Jul 20
@Bensen32 The Benson Bow 
. I am finding that more people are admitting to not liking handshakes or hugs . . . and I thought it was just me who liked my own personal space! Well maybe this is a good thing then . . . we are breaking the old etiquette that people were never really comfortable with anyway then. No more dealing with sweaty palms .
. I am finding that more people are admitting to not liking handshakes or hugs . . . and I thought it was just me who liked my own personal space! Well maybe this is a good thing then . . . we are breaking the old etiquette that people were never really comfortable with anyway then. No more dealing with sweaty palms .1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (19101)
• United States
29 Jul 20
The elbow thing is weird. Maybe wearing gloves might help with the handshake. I wouldn't mind the bow.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56302)
• Philippines
28 Jul 20
I'm used to shaking hands for we practice it in the Church. We may know if a person is sincere or not on the way his grip while shaking his hand.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56302)
• Philippines
29 Jul 20
@Bensen32 I hate that kind of shaking hands that way. I better not to shake his hand.
1 person likes this
@kucing123 (81)
• Jakarta, Indonesia
28 Jul 20
Not only in the US, here in Indonesia as well handshake was the way to greet someone. Now we use "namaste" and fist bump as the new normal of greeting.
This pandemic has already changed our social habits. It's awkward at first but people will get used to it
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157946)
• United States
28 Jul 20
Tip your hat, like the old days, and bow, or curtsy. Maybe that would work. I am not sure America will go with the full bow, but perhaps a slight nod of the head. I do not like the elbow bump, it seems silly.
1 person likes this
