In these heady days of H1N1 hysteria , should people stop shaking hands for the sake of stemming the spread of the sometimes-fatal flu strain?
"People who are sick probably aren't out there glad-handing and handshaking everyone they meet but the fact is if you're really nervous about it why not make everyone comfortable and avoid that handshake," said Louise Fox, proprietor of The Etiquette Ladies.
With the handshake apparently on hiatus until flu fears subside, other more hip greetings like the fist bump could take their place.
The B.C. Lions have an official "don't give skin" elbow bump policy in effect after a handful of players endured bouts of both seasonal and H1N1 influenza.
Congratulatory butt pats will go on unabated.
But a pat on the posterior or a pump of the fist isn't exactly good manners, Fox contends.
"Oh come on, in business settings a fist bump is a little bit corny," she said.
Fox believes it's best to forget about pecks on the cheek too.
"H1N1 is wreaking havoc on good manners," she said. "More than that good manners is always about respect and consideration for people and it comes down to good old fashioned common sense.
"Lets not get crazy about it."
---
HEALTHY TIPS
We know, we know, you have heard this all before, but given that the number of infected flu-ridden zombies has tripled in the last week, it bears repeating.
To prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus, or any other flu for that matter, please:
- Wash your hands frequently to reduce the risk of all respiratory infections.
- Cover your cough and sneeze with the inside of your elbow to reduce the spread of germs.
- Stay at home if suffering from influenza-like illness to limit exposure to others.
