This is a followup question to the preceding question: Is it time to dispense with handshake greetings?
Mahendra Pal there suggested Namaste, an Indian greeting or the Japanese style of greeting. Another reply (Ali A. Al-Homaidan) observed Handshaking is not necessary these days.
These replies prompt the question, should the scientific community and government by example treat hand shaking as a historical artifact. Replace it with a more hygienic alternative. There are alternatives with ancient cultural roots that do not involve contact that can spread disease.
It is time for societies in which handshaking is a cultural norm to change to a norm that does not facilitate the spread of disease. Modern science knows that handshaking can spread disease. There is no reason to cling to a custom that is dangerous for health; its time has past.
People handshaking likely have some anxiety about shaking hands with others, particularly now in light of COVID-19. A person shaking hands for safety’s sake must wash hands. Handshaking seems a questionable custom, when it puts the greeters at risk, in some anxiety and which requires remedying the experience by a thorough washing with soap and water (which often does not occur according to various studies).
What is the economic benefit of handshaking? There are safer alternatives. What is the economic cost of changing to a venerable alternative form of greeting that is more hygienic? Are there any? All that is required is a cultural meme, spread by influential scientists and others, that declares handshaking no longer the best greeting.
Handshaking has a long history. Ptolemy’s theory of cycles and epicycles describing a geocentric model of the universe lasted about 1,400 years, but under the impetus of scientists was replaced by a superior heliocentric theory.
Can science replace the handshake meme with something better? How can it happen?
Dear Dr.Robert,
You have raised a very important issue about permanent alternative to hand shaking.Since antiquity, Indians greet with Namaste.There is no risk on transmission of infection in Namaste whereas handshaking poses a health risk.
When I was on UNDP assignment as Professor of Vet.Public Health at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, I taught my MSc and Ph.D. students and staff about the hazards of handshaking and benefit of Namaste. Many staff members and students started greeting with Namaste.Hence, I recommend that Namaste can be the permanent alternative to handshaking. In case, somebody has problem with Namaste, one can just say Hello to greet.
With kind regards,
Prof.Dr.Mahendra Pal
Founder Director of Narayan Consultancy on Vet.Public Health and Microbiology,
Anand, India
Dear Dr.Robert,
You have raised a very important issue about permanent alternative to hand shaking.Since antiquity, Indians greet with Namaste.There is no risk on transmission of infection in Namaste whereas handshaking poses a health risk.
When I was on UNDP assignment as Professor of Vet.Public Health at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, I taught my MSc and Ph.D. students and staff about the hazards of handshaking and benefit of Namaste. Many staff members and students started greeting with Namaste.Hence, I recommend that Namaste can be the permanent alternative to handshaking. In case, somebody has problem with Namaste, one can just say Hello to greet.
With kind regards,
Prof.Dr.Mahendra Pal
Founder Director of Narayan Consultancy on Vet.Public Health and Microbiology,
Anand, India
Dear Dr.Robert,
I saw a very interesting leg shake on the internet which I liked very much, any type of greeting, other than the hand should be considered because of the possible cross-infection
It seems the current trend in the evolution and spread of diseases is making the practice of handshaking a dangerous practice. Even though among the Akans of Ghana, handshaking is the recommended practice, greeting through non contact means is equally important. I would appreciate alternative to handshaking. This will reduce physical contact to the barest minimum and reduce the risk of spreading diseases through greetings.
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