YOUR PROBLEMS SOLVED
Dear Mary
Q. I have an aversion to shaking hands. How should I avoid this, without giving offence? My doctor informs me that more germs are passed by hand than by kissing. At my club no one shakes hands, unless they are being introduced to someone for the first time. However, even that I find trying. I just don’t like touching someone else’s hands. What should I do?
I.S., London SE11 A. Why not make a point of cultivating the Social Hug? Extend your arms right out like a semaphore operator and close in on the friend or new acquaintance. Then rest your hands on their back. In this way you will not come into contact with any fleshy parts while still giving the appearance of having made an enthusiastic greeting. Hugging is a widely enjoyed unclammy experience. Indeed the late Jennifer Paterson even went so far as to say, ‘Sex is only an excuse for hugging.’
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