when i meet people they often want to shake my hand

in professional circumstances this may be unavoidable

it is hard to refuse without the other feeling wronged or insulted

i would prefer to Y

smile politely

and if they dont understand

explain that shaking hands is not the most hygienic thing to do

started to google about the health hazards of shaking hands

interesting stuff there

call me paranoid

but i am under the impression it is a great way to spread germs

and become more vulnerable health wise

perhaps i need to boost my immune system

i feel quite susceptible lately

I think the obvious answer is for you to completely wrap yourself in clingfilm. You should leave small holes around the face area so that you can still breathe.

I know the whole breathing thing is fraught with danger too but, as yet, I am unable to suggest an alternative

is there a facepalm emoticon here?

Are you Thai deejah? If so, then it's perfectly normal for you to wai when meeting someone. If you're not Thai then you'll look like an idiot if you instigate the wai.

is there a facepalm emoticon here?

I think there was talk of one being introduced but it was decided that it was unhygienic

an interesting exercise Deejah, would be to take your computer Keyboard that your using for this post to a lab and have it analysed for Bacteria . I'm sure they will reassure you that your immune system has been getting a regular boost

I do understand your concern though, some of those farangs use their right hands for alsorts of unsanitary uses

If I see Thai people I wai to them. Why not I am in their country so shouldn't adapt to their customs?

I agree. I hate shaking people's hands and I work in a hotel.

Sometimes i just try to always have something in my hand.

o.k., you're paranoid.

Do what I do, wash your hands regularly.

misterman, i also work in a hotel but fortunately, in israel, hand shaking is not a big thing because of religious differences: men wont shake hands with women (jewish relgious) because of the 'is she menstruating or not' problem, and also a general taboo; muslem men that are religous also avoid physical contact with women so that limits the hand shaking; so many many people automatically keep their hands sort of behind their backs, or clasp to gether while exclaiming 'so nice to meet u'....and giving a big big smile.

we talk with our hands so the hand shake can be avoided by using a head nod and then expanding the arms out sideways a bit to include the people u are interacting with, in the 'suroundings' of your arms... we do tend to touch with in same sex interaction, but not on the hands but on the forearms in a clasp...

and nowadays there are those alcohol based hand wipes/hand gels so u can use them also... but definately i find keyboards and phones much more disgusting. i'd rather touch goat droppings any day.

bina

If I see Thai people I wai to them. Why not I am in their country so shouldn't adapt to their customs?

I agree. I hate shaking people's hands and I work in a hotel.

Sometimes i just try to always have something in my hand.

'As the Bishop said to the actress'

misterman, i also work in a hotel but fortunately, in israel, hand shaking is not a big thing because of religious differences: men wont shake hands with women (jewish relgious) because of the 'is she menstruating or not' problem, and also a general taboo; muslem men that are religous also avoid physical contact with women so that limits the hand shaking; so many many people automatically keep their hands sort of behind their backs, or clasp to gether while exclaiming 'so nice to meet u'....and giving a big big smile.

we talk with our hands so the hand shake can be avoided by using a head nod and then expanding the arms out sideways a bit to include the people u are interacting with, in the 'suroundings' of your arms... we do tend to touch with in same sex interaction, but not on the hands but on the forearms in a clasp...

and nowadays there are those alcohol based hand wipes/hand gels so u can use them also... but definately i find keyboards and phones much more disgusting. i'd rather touch goat droppings any day.

bina

Thanks. I like that, just keep my hands behind my back and smile! Those alcohol based hand wipes are full of toxic chemicals! But that is another story.