2 hours ago
10
I’ve just read Polly Hudson’s piece about shaking hands and I disagree (Teenagers are calling time on the handshake. I salute them, from a safe distance, theguardian.com, 26 April). A hand contact is an open gesture, a mark of trust. It is meant to transmit our humanity. Being human is about learning to connect with each other and that can mean leaving our comfort zone, making the first step – or proffering the first hand – towards a stranger. That first encounter may lead nowhere, or it may be the beginning of an enriching relationship. Either way, to deprive yourself of all those possibilities because of hygiene worries would be so sad. Polly, you could always carry hand sanitiser in your pocket, but please be discreet when using it.
Priscilla Packer
Les Ponts de Cé, France
I can understand how Polly Hudson feels about greeting someone with physical contact. A handshake is not a hug, kiss or curtsey. It is a simple greeting, with the hand extended and a direct look at who you want to meet and converse with. The contact shows an appreciation for each other not shown by a fist or elbow bump. I find women I meet at work and socially are very comfortable with a handshake rather than any other greeting. It is true that the initial contact with someone defines the rest of the relationship, both good and bad.
James Tuson
Hertford
No kissing or hugging? Oh Polly, what a buttoned up life you must lead. Have you never ventured across the Channel, where this is the norm, not the exception. And try getting anywhere in Germany without a handshake or 10. Daily, I happily kiss and/or hug my (English) daughter, my (Ecuadorian) son-in-law and my (Spanish) grandchildren, who in turn hug and kiss schoolfriends and teachers – with whom they are on easy, first-name terms, of course. Oh Polly, you are so – er, well, English!
Neil James
Toledo, Spain
Officers of the Welsh Guards have always avoided the habit on the grounds that if one knows someone well enough one does not need to demonstrate it by a handshake and if you don’t know someone why would you want to shake their hand? A highly decorated second world war veteran once described handshaking to me as a “ghastly American custom”.
Robert Gallimore
Taunton, Somerset
When Covid-19 first arrived, I put a video online for a new form of handshaking. It involved putting one hand above your head and pinching your fingers together. No contact from either person, it could be seen from a socially separated distance and was easy to perform. It hasn’t become as popular – yet.
Martin J Masterman-Lister
Southampton
One very welcome bonus to come out of Covid is the swap of a post-tennis match handshake to a simple racket tap. Hurrah! I love my tennis, but always hated the exchange of sweaty paws.
Lynne Jones
Budleigh Salterton, Devon
Why not adopt Indian-style namaste greetings? It is contactless and shows that the person is not carrying a weapon in either hand.
Ratilal Chauhan
Birmingham
Could we adopt the Japanese bow? Or would that be too deferential (even though the other person would be bowing in return)?
Jim Sanders
Tvååker, Sweden
