Handshake paranoia

Germ-phobes and people with OCD issues are shaping the way we interact. They avoid shaking hands out of fear of catching a cold or the flu.

Some people suffer with repetitive motion injuries or arthritis. In these cases, a firm handshake can be painful.

And, as the world of business becomes increasingly more diverse, we need to respect that every culture has its own rules and norms when it comes to shaking hands.

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The handshake has long been the gold standard for doing business in America. It is a customary greeting ritual that conveys trust and respect. We size each other up by firmness of grip and the degree to which people lock eyes as they press the flesh.

Shaking hands has also been a way of sealing a deal. For some, a handshake is as binding as any legal contract. 

So, what do we do when our extended hand is rebuffed? I say we grab the person by the neck and give them a big kiss on each cheek. Perhaps we can all learn this secret handshake?

The new gold standard may be to show sensitivity to the person in front of us and to avoid making assumptions or jumping to conclusions. It seems that handshaking is gradually becoming a matter of preference rather than a deal breaker.