Let me ask this question one more time like I did before. I started a thread a long time ago saying I did not like shaking hands and I only do this to keep from being arrogant and rude .
I said one reason I liked working in healthcare because no one ever shakes hands. Some people who responded felt like this was a neurotic preoccupation. Even without a global crisis, there are people who never wash their hands, not even when they cough or at any other time.
Do you think if we never shake hands again in our culture that it would make people seem cold?
yeah, true, I meant I personally wouldn't think "weirdo" if someone doesn't want to shake hands. And I think it's another one of those personal preferences that people don't need to be judged over.
Short some religious observance, ie, Muslim woman shaking the hand of a man, I wouldn't think 'weirdo' either. Arbitrary personal preference? I would think 'odd' just reflexively as it is an established cultural norm here for hundreds of years. It's just part of any society that if personal preferences conflict with accepted and useful cultural norms, they're going to be judged negatively. It's up to the dissenting individual to be bothered by it or not, not for the culture to change for them.
Specializes in EMT since 92, Paramedic since 97, RN and PHRN 2021.
Because I'm full of a lot of useless knowledge.
But did you know ??????
The act of shaking someones hand originated long ago when armies, more specifically the generals, would meet before the battle and to prove that the other person did not have a weapon up their sleeve or under their armor, would shake the opponents hand to ensure this.
It seems like someone could still be harboring a weapon and would still be able to shake hands without being found out.
The act of shaking someones hand originated long ago when armies, more specifically the generals, would meet before the battle and to prove that the other person did not have a weapon up their sleeve or under their armor, would shake the opponents hand to ensure this.
It seems like someone could still be harboring a weapon and would still be able to shake hands without being found out.
I've heard this for years, although most versions I've heard have it demonstrating that the one offering his hand does so to demonstrate he isn't holding a weapon, although @emtpbill's explanation is possible as well. Likewise, when the opponent extends his hand to accept, he too is demonstrating the his hand is empty as well.
This is also the basis of the salute rendered by members of the armed forces.
offlabel
1,719 Posts
Short some religious observance, ie, Muslim woman shaking the hand of a man, I wouldn't think 'weirdo' either. Arbitrary personal preference? I would think 'odd' just reflexively as it is an established cultural norm here for hundreds of years. It's just part of any society that if personal preferences conflict with accepted and useful cultural norms, they're going to be judged negatively. It's up to the dissenting individual to be bothered by it or not, not for the culture to change for them.