Is there a polite way to greet people without shaking hands?

Question

Shaking hands just seems too risky. Especially on a cruise or in a hotel.

Answer 1

I was just wondering the same thing with the announcement of the "norovirus" in yahoo news just now.

I'm thinking the japanese might have the right idea.

what does everyone else say ??

Answer 2

A great way to get past the hand shaking ceremony is to bypass the extended hand altogether and place a hand on the arm just above the elbow and say something friendly and distracting. This may seem hard to do, but it is actually quite easy to do with a little practice and comes across as much warmer and friendlier. It will also make the other person back off a bit and most likely save you skin contact of the type you wish to avoid. A person's arm is much cleaner than the hand. A pat on the back works well too. But, in this world, I'm afraid that a trip to the grocery store will get you a month's worth of handshakes, just from pushing the cart and opening up the freezer cases. Don't feel bad though- it's good to be aware. Good habits could keep you from getting a bad flu farther down the line. OCD's not good for anyone though.

Answer 3

I totally feel the same way. Unfortunately there is no way to avoid shaking hands without freaking people out or being labeled with OCD. I'm a woman and social etiquette dictates for a man to wait and see if a woman extends her hand, before shaking her hand, but unfortunately a lot of men don't know this and extend their hand and there isn't much you can do but to extend yours as well.
I've been carrying a small container of Purell with me. I have one in my car, one in my purse and I put one in my pocket if I'm not carrying a purse. I just use that if I can't wash my hands right away and before I eat, I always wash my hands with warm water and soap for a full 15 seconds (long enough to sing the "happy birthday" song, if you're teaching your kids proper hand washing). That should take care of most germs you come into contact with.
Great question! ;o)

Answer 4

RELAX!!!

People have been shaking hands for a very long time, and the human race continues to thrive. By all means, wash your hands before you eat, or after using the bathroom. Use some kind of antibacterial hand sanitizer if you are in contact with a lot of people, especially during the cold + flue season. But don't get paranoid.

Answer 5

I'm not sure exactly what your concern about shaking hands is, but it is totally appropriate to greet people without doing it. You could just do a little wave, or kind of a little head nod.

And you might consider the possibility that you could have obsessive-compulsive disorder or some other kind of psychological problem that's making you afraid of shaking hands. Why don't you have yourself checked by a psychologist?

Answer 6

A tap on the shoulder maybe, but a hand shake is not risky if you wash your hands often. probably safer then handling money.

Answer 7

I guess you could bow your head or curtsy, but I don't understand your fear/risk in shaking hands. What are you afraid is going to happen by shaking hands vs. something else. Germs? A cold? Physical attack? Just trying to understand the question better.

Answer 8

I suppose you can bow, salute or take off your hat like in a western but it just doesn't do the same thing as shaking hands.

Answer 9

i've always gone with "pleased to meet you/ nice to see you/ hello", "sorry, but i don't shake hands"

Answer 10

Smile and say "Hello! It's nice to meet you" and don't offer your hand.