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Re:
Believe it or not, Annicita, they did briefly mention 'hugging' as part of the experiment, and it too lessened the chances of bacteria-transference. However, since larger groups of people apparently don't necessarily hug as a greeting or a farewell, it was not given as much attention for the study. But, in many cases, I think a hug might be more pleasant than a fist bump . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on January 20, 2014 at 7:21 AM
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i might have to do that though i am a hugger!
posted by
Annicita
on January 19, 2014 at 2:28 PM
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Re:
Many people don't, lustor, for various reasons. But to keep from spreading, or receiving, germs, I would think that handshakes may become fewer and fewer! Perhaps one day we'll just adopt the Japanese custom of simply bowing to one another! Just watch those foreheads . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on January 19, 2014 at 9:35 AM
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Re:
You were ahead of your time, adnohr, and you didn't even know it! However, today, your 'greeting' would probably be considered more politically incorrect than impolite! It may also confuse some of the younger generation, who probably wouldn't understand it at all! Raise your hand and say "How!" and the response would most likely be "How what?" Kids!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 19, 2014 at 9:31 AM
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Re:
Great idea, C C T. And you're right . . . those cashiers do handle a lot of various produce, and probably should have special wipes at the ready to keep their hands clean at all times! Door knobs, escalator rails, staircase railings . . . it's amazing the things we touch everyday that have been touched by thousands of others. It's incredible sometimes that there hasn't been another world-wide plague brought on by such contact! We must be doing something right . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on January 19, 2014 at 9:28 AM
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Re:
Well, FSI, we have a 'thumbs up' and a 'thumbs down,' and either one would probably suffice in this situation! Perhaps we need one of two fists touching knuckles. Hopefully everyone would understand what it meant . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on January 19, 2014 at 9:24 AM
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Re:
Will that work, Carolyn, as opposed to, say, a pair of gloves? So what would we do? Tap umbrellas once for Hello, and twice for Goodbye? That would be an interesting scene . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on January 19, 2014 at 9:22 AM
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Re: JimmyA
Sounds good to me, Sir Wiley. But again, for some people, we can't 'bump' too hard! I can see some people getting upset if there's bruising involved with a simple greeting . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on January 19, 2014 at 9:19 AM
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Re:
They don't, Kabu, but perhaps they should. From everything I've read over the years, sometimes just keeping your hands as clean as possible, as often as possible, will keep those germs at bay! And I've also read recently that plain old soap & water works just as fine, if not better, than some of those special anti-bacterial soaps! We all know about 'cleanliness' . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on January 19, 2014 at 9:17 AM
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Re:
As will I, Utah. For two guys hanging out in a bar watching a ballgame on TV, fist bumps would seem almost appropriate. But as a general greeting? That's a hard sell, germs be damned . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on January 19, 2014 at 9:13 AM
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Re:
I take it from that emoticon, lovelylady, that you have no intention of excepting the good doctor's advice, and will probably not be fist bumping anyone in the near future! That's okay. As long as you can keep your hands clean . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on January 19, 2014 at 9:11 AM
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Re: Jimmy
That sounds even safer, Naut! Who says people have to make actual contact with each other in the first place? So, when you wave, will it be an open palm move, or will the fingers be wiggling . . . ?
posted by
JimmyA
on January 19, 2014 at 9:08 AM
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Re:
Good for you, Against! Believe it or not, I've never really been a big fan of 'fist bumping.' Not that I have anything in particular against it, it's just something I never do. But after this report . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on January 19, 2014 at 9:06 AM
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hmmm maybe that is why I stay healthy I never shake hands
posted by
Lanetay
on January 18, 2014 at 7:00 AM
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Or the Indian's greeting with the hand up, palm facing, and the 'How' spoken aloud. I remember my brother and I would greet everyone like that until my grandmother put a stop to it. Hmmm - wonder what she would say if I could tell her we were wise after all, no matter how impolite it seemed at the time.
posted by
adnohr
on January 18, 2014 at 3:43 AM
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Better if one can wear boxing gloves Jimmy. Or perhaps smear one's hands with the jell that kills bacteria. Arthur always sprays the door handles if he thinks some one has a cold. Tip. When I notice the previous customer in a supermarket has bought chicken or wrapped meat and the cashier does not wipe her hands, which they really should do, I always shift my purchases so that my foodstuff is the last to be handled .
posted by
C_C_T
on January 18, 2014 at 12:47 AM
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I never thought the type of contact would effect the amount of bacteria that can move from one person to another...I could really a use a fist emoticon right now.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on January 17, 2014 at 8:13 PM
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i brought my protection...
posted by
Carolyn_Moe
on January 17, 2014 at 5:56 PM
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JimmyA
I like that, let's do nuckles fom now on.
posted by
WileyJohn
on January 17, 2014 at 4:57 PM
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No, I have my flu shot always and besides, most of those hospital infections that will kill someone in hospital don't worry healthy folk.
posted by
Kabu
on January 17, 2014 at 4:05 PM
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Good advise, but I will still shake hands as I always have.
posted by
UtahJay
on January 17, 2014 at 2:49 PM
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posted by
lovelyladymonk
on January 17, 2014 at 2:15 PM
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Jimmy
Not good! From now on I'll just wave...
posted by
Nautikos
on January 17, 2014 at 1:23 PM
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I am already in good practice with one of my coworkers. Bumping is our way of greeting each other.
posted by
Against4WindsOn2Flam
on January 17, 2014 at 12:41 PM
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