Is it OK to leave your gloves on in church?

Question

Is it acceptable to give the sign of peace (shake hands) if you're wearing gloves?
You know, during the winter, lots of people have the flu and they're sneazing and coughing during the service.
So I was wondering whether it's rude to leave my gloves on?

Of course I mean nice gloves, not thick.

Answer 1

20th Century Glove Etiquette (see reference below)

Definite Don'ts
Don't ever appear in public without gloves.
Don't eat, drink, or smoke with gloves on.
Don't play cards with gloves on.
Don't apply makeup with gloves on.
Don't wear jewelry over gloves, with the exception of bracelets.
Don't make a habit of carrying your gloves ~ they should be considered an integral part of your costume.
Don't wear short gloves to a very gala ball, court presentation or 'White Tie' affair at the White House or in honor of a celebrity.

Definite Do's
Do wear gloves when you go shopping, visiting, driving; and for outdoor festivities such as garden parties, receptions.
Do wear gloves as a mark of respect in a place of worship.
Do wear gloves for formal indoor occasions: receptions, balls, and on arrival at a luncheon or dinner party.
Do keep gloves on in a receiving line.
Do keep gloves on while dancing at a formal party.
Do keep gloves on at a cocktail party until the drinks and hors d'oeuvres are passed. Then turn gloves back at the wrist or remove one glove.
Do remove gloves entirely at the dining table.
Do remove gloves after your arrival at an informal party or luncheon, leaving them with your coat

However, in the way I get it, one should never offer the hand to hold with your glove, unless you are trying to infer a sense of superiority - not quite what is wanted in the sign of peace.

If you are worried about germs - gosh, wash YOUR hands before touching your eyes and nose. Transfer of germs does not happen intradermally, but only if after your hand you bring it to the inside: through the eyes, the mouth, the nose... that's why washing your hands is more effective than any other measure, including gloves.

Answer 2

It should be acceptable to wear gloves, and just as someone else said, ask the church if the could get hand sanitizer. In some churches its rude but not in most. Also, if you are in a church try not to wear red gloves XD
Anyways, Tata

Answer 3

Your issue isn't one of etiquette.

On one level, it is a question regarding the beliefs and practices of your community of faith. I remember women wearing white gloves in every church in the 1960's, and in some places that is still the norm. So, you should address that question to your clergy and community leaders as a question of religious practice (and not etiquette)

However, I think you have an over-emphasized fear of germs, and if I was your pastor, I'd mention that fact. If you're having trouble shaking hands I imagine that you go NUTS during communion services. Political candidates shake literally hundreds if not thousands of hands each day, and their health does not appear to be significantly impaired. I believe that you're using etiquette to cover up a condition such as OCD, and your pastor would be remiss if they didn't suggest that you'd be much happier in life if you addressed those OCD concerns.

Answer 4

To be personable you should take the gloves off. Talk to your Church about encouraging the use of hand sanitizer as you walk in and encourage hand washing, also encourage your congregation to all have a flu shot. Many companies can provide this service for a small fee. Be happy and healthy this flu season.

Answer 5

I wouldn't wear winter gloves during church. I would wear cotton ones that ladies normally wear to church.

Answer 6

I second Queenspry. Use hand sanitizer. Its kinda rude to KEEP gloves on for handshaking, once you've been in any building longer than 5 seconds. But I get your point.

Answer 7

Sure, keep them on. It's not rude. Some (the snitty people) might think you're a germophobe, but to hell with them. Your health is more important than their opinions.

If you're going to keep them on during the peace, you might as well keep them on during communion. Everyone touches the cups, so you'd get just as many germs from them as from a handshake.

Answer 8

Let me ask you this--do you might have a institution of peers at your church, away out of your process--with whom you'll be able to socialize and believe secure? If so, then cross out with them as a substitute of along with your co-employees. I might strongly advocate you to do one in all 2 matters: one million) cross to paintings for any individual who has the equal importance process as your self, or two) begin up your possess industry, so you are going to be in manage of your atmosphere. You do not say what you do at your process or how ancient you're. Obviously, folks have picked up on the truth that it bothers you if risque topics are spoken approximately, they usually certainly do and say matters simply to irritate you. Find a piece atmosphere for your self that both does not require you to have interaction with others (similar to a task in scientific billing) in any other case discover one with a Christian surroundings. If you believe you have been singled out and intentionally mistreated at paintings when you consider that of your devout ideals, you could have grounds for a discrimination lawsuit. You can talk with an Equal Employment Opportunity lawyer and discover out in case your have grounds to sue your enterprise for permitting the taunting (if it is within the office environment).

Answer 9

You can keep them on. If anyone gives u a strange look just tell them your hands are cold. During the winter my own chruch gets a bit chilly.

Answer 10

Leave them on! For all anyone knows, you might have circulations problems and get cold hands (my friend did). No one who has a brain will be offended. Just don't start telling people that you wear them because of germs...that sounds bad.