I was out some where with some friends and we saw an old friend from college. Well, she was with a guy and he had psoriasis all over him from head to toe and it was really bad and dry and flaky. When she introduced him to me he stook out his hand for a handshake and I hesisitated but I still shook it. My other friend who was also with me told me later that I was a total stuck up b i t c h for hesitating to shake his hand. Was I really rude? what would you do?
2006-06-06 04:45:25 · 42 answers · asked by misswannano 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
At the time I didn't know what it was, I never seen it that bad, so I didn't know if it was contagious or not, AND I STILL SHOOK HIS HAND!!!!!
2006-06-06 04:55:50 · update #1
Everyone please understand I did not mean to be rude or hurt the guys feelings by hesitating to shake his hand, I just have never been in the situation before.
2006-06-06 05:02:15 · update #2
No, you did not mean to be rude and you were NOT>
Psoriasis is a horrible looking skin complaint ,
though not catching
yours re-action , was understandable and natural .
You did follow up, with a hand -shake,
THIS shows you had no intention of being rude .. But were your usual friendly self .
i am sure the guy with psoriasis ,understood your honest initial, reaction
Your other friend, i believe is a *****, for thinking you were being rude .
2006-06-06 05:02:22 · answer #1 · answered by sweet-cookie 6 · 11⤊ 4⤋
It was kind of rude of him to extend his hand. You would have done well to nod your head toward him to signify your greeting and to ignore his hand. There is no requirement for you to touch anyone being introduced to you unless you are in a very formal setting such as a reception line at a wedding. Shake someone's hand only if you want to and only if you fully trust them so far. Otherwise, a simple nod of the head is suffucient. Forget about the "stuck - up" nonesense. It is like a dare to jump off a cliff. Ignore it. B.
2006-06-07 04:01:13 · answer #2 · answered by awed1b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think maybe that was a natural reaction and thats what came to mind first it doesnt mean your a ***** because soemtimes u cant help something like a reaction...like when u see throw up chances are u feel like throwing up its a natural reaction..u prob saw the guy and ur brain was like okay kind of gross and if i touch him i will get it.....so u reacted in what seemed to be a stuck up way.
the point is you shook it and u didnt say "oh my god totally gross if u think im shaking ur hand u can just forget it".....i dont think u intentionally were being a *****...just a natural reaction.
2006-06-06 04:48:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't say totally. Besides, did you KNOW what it was? I probably would have been a little hesitant too not knowing what it was. Maybe you could apologize and tell them you didn't "know" for sure. Remember there are people who won't shake hands at ALL for fear of catching a cold!!! Hands do hold a lot of germs. I'm not paranoid about that kind of thing but I know people who are.
2006-06-06 04:50:36 · answer #4 · answered by butterfliesRfree 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I understand both points. Actually, if I had psoriasis on my hand, I probably wouldn't force people to make that decision and just say "hi". The good news is, psoriasis doesn't not catch from person to person.
2006-06-06 04:49:12 · answer #5 · answered by WiserAngel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, it isn't like psoriasis is catching, and so yes, it is a bit rude, but frankly, the guy should completely understand that his appearance is a tad off putting and that you would have been caught off guard. Don't sweat it. I'm sure that your friend and her friend have forgotten about the incident. If you are concerned, the next time you see him, make sure you make a special effort to make him feel comfortable.
2006-06-06 04:48:51 · answer #6 · answered by moveplease 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you were just unsure of a situation that you probably had not experienced before, so to ease your mind, psoriasis is not contagious, and I'm sure that you wouldn't hesitate again after realizing it.
2006-06-06 04:50:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are being honest. I don't think it's stuck up or rude. I think if I had psoriasis, I probably wouldn't greet people that way out of consideration. I probably wouldn't have shook his hand. Not being mean, just being honest.
2006-06-06 04:49:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To hesitate is not rude, To have asked what ails him would have been rude. I'd say that the next time you run into him you just apologize for hesitating and just tell him that you really didn't know what it was and that you realizied that it could not be contageous because he would have said so and that it took that split second for you to think that.
2006-06-06 05:02:00 · answer #9 · answered by Johhny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really rude. Don't have to shake anyone's hand if you don't want to . I would have shook it because I don't care what someone looks like. I lived with lepers.
2006-06-06 04:49:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All you did was hesitate.
It is a good thing to think it over once or twice, before jumping into something.
Was Mr. Psoriasis offended?
That's all that counts.
Even if he should be offended, he should also understand.
2006-06-06 04:50:09 · answer #11 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋