Will the Handshake Return?
How the pandemic is affecting how we connect and engage
Handshakes, high fives, and hugs in the workplace are no more.
Waves, nods, and elbow bumps are the new normal. Or are they?
In North America, the handshake has symbolized trust, confidence and sincerity while some Europeans prefer a cheek kiss or two. And in other parts of the world, a bow is an appropriate greeting.
In March 2020 as workplaces and schools closed, public health officials advised us to avoid any physical contact and keep our distance.
A month later, Dr. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said, “As a society, just forget about shaking hands. We don’t need to shake hands. We’ve got to break that custom. Because as a matter of fact, that is really one of the major ways that you can transmit a respiratory illness.”
As the pandemic has worn on, I adjusted to these new guidelines, or ways of being, as my brother calls them. I found myself cheerfully waving hello and goodbye on Zoom and Teams.
Plexiglass, masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers gave us peace of mind as we waited and prayed for a COVID-19 vaccine.
“We’ll all need to read body language and follow non-verbal cues from our co-workers, friends, clients and, even, strangers. ”
Lately, I’ve seen handshakes and occasional hugs are returning. As offices, schools, and workplaces reopen this fall, we’ll all need to find our personal comfort zone, just as we did with our masks. We’ll all need to read body language and follow non-verbal cues from our co-workers, friends, clients and, even, strangers.
When in doubt, I plan to ask. That seems like a respectful approach.
Last week, I saw a JMU fraternity brother I hadn’t seen in 26 years. As we met in front of a coffee shop, I said, “You’re vaccinated, right? Well, I’m going in for the hug.”
We skipped the handshake.
Jonathan Rhudy remembers learning to shake hands as a toddler at church, and this fall he’s planning to relearn the art of the handshake (and likely the hug, but probably not the European cheek kiss).