Handshakes are a terrible idea. Think of how many germs can be spread via a handshake. They're fucking disgusting.
Just been watching "Pride & Predjudice", the BBC version with Colin Firth & Jennifer Ehle, and have noted the "dipping" bow/slight curtsy that was the greeting/leaving mode....handshakes were apparently very rare, & strictly for business deals.
Charming, graceful, respectful, & NO Contact! (They all lived in fear of diseases that can & did kill rampantly.....huh, imagine that.)
I suggest we do so too.......
I like the fist bump or, if I think of it, a bow with hands together to recognize the Deity within an individual.
Can also recognize the possibilities of another's spirit.
I see a lot of the head bow with prayer hands here too - though I like to think of it as an appreciation for the goodness, thoughtfulness or talents shared within the individual, rather than a deity, but to each their own.
Also popular where I live is to throw a shaka sign, to show that person is alright with you.
I don't shake hands anymore, a fist bump is as close as I get, and I get a bit squeamish even with that sometimes. A smile and an air hug is better these days.
I've never heard of an air hug. What is it? I like elbow bumps, BTW, but have one friend who insists on hugging every time he sees me.
@Organist1 An air hug is where you pretend you're hugging the person, but from a distance, kind of like blowing an air kiss. An air hug shows that you would hug a person in normal times, but you are respecting the no touch protocol and health safety measures during these times. I find it more respectful than actually hugging a person, since that could be dangerous. (When I find myself in a hug I can't get out of, I hold my breath and end it before I turn blue from lack of oxygen!)