Why is this considered rude ?

Question

I refuse to shake hands for health reasons. I don't know where the hand has been. Yet people give me funny looks, when I don't shake their hands.

Answer 1

I have OCD and never shake hands but I find placing the hand on the shoulder when I say "Hello" is just a good replacment, plus keep wipes in your pocket to clean your hands indiscreetly also helps.
My partner sometimes warn people if we are going to dinner or a party of my problem, so they are pretty understanding.
Its difficult and a big problem, but you have to be forward about it....people will understand.

Answer 2

In our society, refusing to shake hands is considered rude. It is an insult insinuating that you find the person offensive. You'll have to come to terms with that reaction, or find some way to shake hands and then clean your hands soon after.

Maybe you could carry a small container of hand sanitizer? But then, to use it immediately after shaking someones hand in their presence, would also be considered rude.

People have been shaking hands for centuries; refusing to do so will always get you those funny looks.

Answer 3

I can understand your concern, however society expects everyone to go with what is so common. I know it's silly, but that's just the way society is.

Next time just tell them that you don't shake hands for custom reasons, and offer a hug instead. Or say, "I don't do hand shakes, I do hugs." This always works for me when I don't want to shake hands

It's just like if you were at a dinner party and people asked you how work was today and you replied with, "Oh it was great, but strenous, I did 20 back flips, Jacob missed his hoop cue 2 times but the audience didn't notice, and one of the rings snapped." You would get strange looks from everyone, cause most people aren't stage circus acrobats.

Answer 4

Shaking hands is done for many reasons, an introduction, to seal a deal, a way of showing respect, a way of saying hello, glad to see you. It is the ultimate slam if you refuse to shake hands with someone who is offering their hand!!! You refuse to shake hands because of GERMS!!! Do you open a door with your hands? Do you touch a grocery cart? Do you pick up a salt shaker at a restaurant or touch the table? There are thousands of ways you pick up germs like you would pick up from shaking a hand!! That's just ridiculous!!! When you pick up germs from your hands the only way the germs are tranferred to you is when you put your hands in your mouth ro your nose or rub your eyes, so keep your hands away form your fave, wash them often and yo will be fine for goodness sake and you won't offend so many people by refusing the hand they are offering you!

Answer 5

Wear gloves.

If you refuse to shake hands, it tells people that you rejected them. Shaking hands is more than just a greeting and for someone to have his hand refused is not only rude, but considered an insult.

Answer 6

I don't believe it's rude. For all the people who can't understand why someone would be concerned for health reasons, you are probably the reason why some people don't want to shake hands. I don't shake hands either, for similar reasons. I think people are just over-all unclean. I don't think you have to explain to anyone why you refuse to touch them, or allow them to touch you. You are responsible for your body, and if people can't understand that, to hell with them. I don't like people just inviting themselves to have any kind of physical contact with me, and I let them know it, that includes family members.

Answer 7

Haha, i cant belive this is an actual question, but if you dont really want to shake hands at least have a better reason then health!! nobodies ever died of a handshake yet!

Answer 8

Refusing to shake someone's hand is like saying that you don't care to meet them--it is a rejection of the introduction. Most people will not realize that you are concerned about germs.

If you are that paranoid about germs, keep one of those tiny bottles of waterless hand sanitizer with you. Shake hands and take a moment later to sanitize.

Answer 9

Because shaking hands is considered the most common of courtesies. If you refuse to shake hands it is like saying you think a person is unclean - it is disrespectful.

Answer 10

It is eccentric, I know of such a person, she is certainly not a rude person, and her refusal to shake hands for the reason you give is accepted graciously.