After all this COVID nonsense, should be brutally murder the handshake ritual?

I have always preferred a warm hug, and I love the Latin American tradition of a kiss on the cheek.

I can give up handshakes I guess.

It will take away the questions that arise when being confronted with a hand.

Is it freshly washed?
Has been dried?
Is it sweaty/oily/yucky?
Is it too warm?
Is this a firm shake type or a light touch type?
Are they going to use both hands and clasp one over our shaking hands?

Don't overlook the tough guys that want to crush your fingers.

I've run across a number of Mexicans who are extremely strong. But when I shook hands with them they just held out a limp hand for me to grasp, then took it quickly away. I suppose they don't believe in the ritual.

I have a strong grip. I want the same in return.

I often find when I shake hands with a man he does it really gently and softly.
I don't want my fingers broken but I would prefer a firm handshake to a soft one.

I try to give the same handshake to everyone.

You know, I have noticed the same thing. I don't think it is because they don't believe in the ritual.

By the way, if you want to see serious handshaking, watch a few Navajo. A modestly firm grip, but it can just go on forever, especially if they've been out of touch for awhile.

My Dad believed in a firm handshake....His guidance to me was to shake hands like you mean it...not to try to crush another person's hand...which would have been stupid because most men would be able to break my hand...

In 1999 my Dad had a stroke and was hospitalized in a VA hospital in Baltimore. The doctors were great, but on a few occasions when the Docs came in to check on Dad, they would extend both hands and ask him to squeeze as hard as he could. He really was just trying to comply but within seconds these young Docs would say Ow ow ow that's great.

I can’t see it stopping in Africa. When I was on a ship in Senegal we used to spend about half an hour every day shaking the hands of all the dock workers coming on board to work on the ship.

It was like a Royal visit. And I’m not exaggerating, literally about half an hour every day.

I don't care for socially-expected or -enforced physical contact. Looking someone in the eye and greeting them is more than enough as far as I'm concerned.

I usually just look at the proffered hand, without grasping it, then look back at the one proffering his hand

Such fun when your handshake is a part of whether a hiring manager decides if you'll get a job. Such an idiotic, completely off-base measurement, particularly when you don't deal with the public.

I am thinking Wakanda salute for greeting men and Vulcan salute for greeting women. Unsure or trans? Hmm, maybe greet with jazz hands or a snappy military-style salute?

I like bowing while keeping eye contact. Its respect while defining veryone's position as equal.Japanese bowing got so damned continuous and routine that it became like whackk-a-mole. In China it was more like being Mr Miagi . Bow halfway and look into eyes , Wax on Wax off.

ah, the pain of being left hanging no more...

That's kind of almost creepy!

It's definitely creepy...ewwwwwww

Expect more of this. Place your bets now.

We could kiss instead