Dear Jacquelyn,

The polite gesture of extending a hand for a handshake has suddenly become socially unacceptable. This common courtesy is one of the major ways that you can transmit the virus. What are some contactless greetings that could replace it?

Dear Reader,

Society is in uncertain times. Being able to adapt to the new etiquette of the handshake greeting is going to be awkward for a while. In the time of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the traditional greeting is considered unsanitary and has forced a rethink of the handshake.

There are alternative forms of contactless greetings that can replace a handshake. For example, there’s a knowing nod, smile and kind words.

Another alternative that is common in parts of the Middle East is to make eye contact with the other person, clasp your hands together and put them over your heart. If that isn’t your style, you might be more comfortable standing still, dropping your hands and putting them behind your back so you’re not tempted to reach out for a handshake, nod and say hello. These contactless greetings allow you to still be friendly without putting yourself at risk.

If you find yourself on the receiving end of a handshake, it’s not rude to refuse one. Instead of shaking hands, politely decline and tell the person why. You can say, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, but I’m following public health guidelines.”

For the immediate future and beyond, it’s best to keep your hands to yourself. It’s a proactive measure that’s easy to implement. The less contact you have with others, the better off you’ll be.

Etiquette is always evolving and its guidelines are not set in stone.

What is set in stone is the idea of respect for others.

Respectfully Yours,

Jacquelyn

Have a question? Email: jacquelyn@ptd.net. Jacquelyn Youst is owner of the Pennsylvania Academy of Protocol, specializing in etiquette training. She is on the board of directors of the National Civility Foundation.

All Rights Reserved &Copy; 2020 Jacquelyn Youst