Handshakes vs Fistbumps

[Big Guy]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/10995281/Five-reasons-why-fistbumps-beat-handshakes.html

The Obama's have made the fistbump a popular form of greeting. Researchers have found that greeting people with a fistbump rather than a handshake can reduce the spread of bacteria by up to 90 per cent.

Many people now prefer the fistbump over the handshake because;

“1. It’s egalitarian - With a handshake, there can be some powerplay involved when it comes to the positioning of the hands - with the person trying to assert their authority often trying to place their hand on top. No such qualms with the egalitarian fistbump.

2. It’s gender neutral - The handshake goes back to medieval times, with men offering their right hand to prove they weren’t about to draw their sword from a scabbard, worn on the left. It’s only relatively recently that women have started shaking hands, meaning there’s the awkward decision of whether to go for a shake or a kiss on the cheek when men and women meet for the first time. With the healthy new gesture, however, you just bump.

3. You can’t do a lingering fistbump - Aside from the increased potential for the spread of disease with a lingering handshake, it can become very awkward when somebody refuses to drop your hand and/or gaze. Etiquette experts recommend a maximum of two shakes, though this is advice is often ignored. Like a firework or a candle in the wind, the fistbump burns brightly but is gone in an instant.

4. Sweat - Most people have sweaty palms at some point. Few have sweaty knuckles.”

Are you a fistbumper or handshaker or .... ?

Now about the overly familiar “hug” and the French “two cheek buss” they ...

[Mighty AC]

Fist bump during sporting events handshake everywhere else.

[Guest]

Yeah, I can live with that. I'd love to see the fist bump replace the hysterical tearing off of the shirt, followed by the sliding knee first into the corner flag, followed by the piling on of all the remaining players on the team.

Edited July 28, 2014 by bcsapper

[Black Dog]

Cheek kiss during sports events, handshakes everywhere else.

[Boges]

Researchers clearly have run out of things to research.

[The_Squid]

Handshakes are gross, but sometimes necessary....

[-1=e^ipi]

Handshakes are not gender neutral? What nonsense is this...

I would prefer no bodily contact over either option. Maybe just say 'hello'?

[bush_cheney2004]

Handshakes are "gross" ? I think it better than sniffing butts like canines.

[The_Squid]

Handshakes are "gross" ? I think it better than sniffing butts like canines.

True... It is better than butt sniffing... There is definitely a scale of grossness with butt sniffing near the top and fist bumps near the bottom. Handshakes are in between somewhere. A simple hello is right at the bottom of the scale.

[Big Guy]

How about the French "buffing" on both cheeks?

[Hal 9000]

Different handshakes represent different things. The up high (locking thumbs) to a colleague, friend or someone in a casual setting - "I'm cool and I think you are too". The traditional handshake should be used in any business setting or someone of higher stature such as Father-in -Law, New boss, Banker, Lawyer etc - "I'm serious and I think you are too". Fist bumps only after you, your buddy or your side has scored - "we're too cool".

[Guest]

What's embarrassing is when you go for a handshake and they go "Up High", but you don't know what they are doing and it just ends up in a mess. My sister's boyfriend did that to me when I met him.

[Big Guy]

What's embarrassing is when you go for a handshake and they go "Up High", but you don't know what they are doing and it just ends up in a mess. My sister's boyfriend did that to me when I met him.

If you are a handshake fan then the other elements come into play;

Power of grip or lack of and eye contact. Many, many years ago I had occasion to present to a number of youngsters on job applications, resume's et al. Part of my presentation was shaking hands with each student and then telling him/her what message their handshake conveyed. After the session, I was told the students found that part of the presentation most informative.

But - that may also say that the rest of my presentation was less than informative.

[Guest]

Yeah, I have a boss everyone is afraid to shake hands with. Knuckle crusher. Why, I have no idea. He's a big strong fellow, so maybe he doesn't know he's doing it.

[Mighty AC]

A seemingly high percentage of doctors I've shaken hands with have horribly limp handshakes. Has anyone else noticed that?

[Bonam]

A seemingly high percentage of doctors I've shaken hands with have horribly limp handshakes. Has anyone else noticed that?

Higher pressure increases skin contact area and thus chance of germ propagation.

[Big Guy]

A seemingly high percentage of doctors I've shaken hands with have horribly limp handshakes. Has anyone else noticed that?

My latest doctor does not shake hands at all. I am not offended but more relieved that he chooses not to share his last patient with me.

[BC_chick]

True... It is better than butt sniffing... There is definitely a scale of grossness with butt sniffing near the top and fist bumps near the bottom. Handshakes are in between somewhere. A simple hello is right at the bottom of the scale.

That was one of the funniest things I've ever read.

[The_Squid]

That was one of the funniest things I've ever read.