Let's say I am at a business meeting where food has been served and we are eating while we meet. Someone arrives late and offers to shake my hand. This seems very unsanitary and inconvenient for me if I have excuse myself to wash my hands again. Can I claim a a handshake exemption in this case?
2007-01-22 13:45:21 · 13 answers · asked by O'Shea 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I disagree with everyone here, and I'm suprised by their answers! As a person who attends a Weekly Networking Luncheon, I say YOU ARE EXEMPT from shaking hands; its actually rude of THEM to attempt to greet by handshaking while someone is eating. Its unsanitary and lacks a respect for colleagues. There are other ways to greet someone WHO ENTERS LATE no less,and preferrably do so AFTER the lunch so as not to be disrespectful to others already engaged in conversation or a guest speaker who might have the floor. A friendly nod and smile in their direction is about the most they'd get from me. Good luck!
2007-01-22 14:04:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe you are within "Your Rights of Etiquette" in this situation.
The trick is to handle it so that no one is embarrassed or made to feel uncomfortable.
Keep your napkin handy and gently bring it to the corner of your mouth with your right hand. If there is a seat next to you and food has already been served, invite him or her to sit down. If there is a buffet table (and the meeting has not started, of course) greet the person warmly and accompany them to the buffet. After the meeting is over, you can then initiate a handshake.
2007-01-22 15:23:42 · answer #2 · answered by dudette 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If this person extends his or her hand, then by all means shake it. Wipe your hands with your napkins before you do so. If you are worried about germs, then you probably already have a little bottle of hand sanitizer in your pocket anyway, you can make use of that in a non obvious way. Remember, late for lunch or not...it is a business meeting....and shaking hands is standard etiquette for these meetings.
2007-01-22 14:56:57 · answer #3 · answered by catywhumpass 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
You should not have to shake hands if they are late. Instead say "Well, it looks like we started without you....pull up a seat and dig in!" This should take the awkwardness out of not shaking hands, and at the same time you seem to be pretty inviting to the latecomer.
2007-01-22 14:18:23 · answer #4 · answered by deerogre 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Shake hands. The human race has survived so far, centuries before regular handwashing and sanitizing gels.
2007-01-22 15:08:47 · answer #5 · answered by Sandy Lou 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Shake the hand. Your business colleague isn't going to have any scary disease germs on their hands. Even if they do, you won't necessarily get sick from them. I'm afraid you may be worrying too much about germs.
2007-01-23 03:49:39 · answer #6 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you dont want to get food on them wipe it on your napkin. If you are the one who is afraid of germs get some hand sanitizer or wash them. Personally I dont care I would just keep eating. I touch stuff with germs everyday you cant be germ free 24/7.
2007-01-22 13:53:43 · answer #7 · answered by XoXoGlitter 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No...give a handshake and use a napkin if you must. But if you had to run to the bathroom, you could have to do it every 5 mins.
2007-01-22 13:50:37 · answer #8 · answered by buster 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Sure you can by saying, sorry I'm eating but as soon as I'm finished I would be more than happy to shake your hand.
2007-01-22 14:35:20 · answer #9 · answered by chestnutlocs1 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
agree, shake hands and wash again later
Be Blessed!
2007-01-22 13:51:13 · answer #10 · answered by ramzee 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋