Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents an article excerpt about alternatives to greeting/farewell handshakes, hugs, kisses etc.
This post also presents several YouTube videos of some ways to greet or say good-by that replace handshakes, hugging, kissing, and other gestures where two people touch each other.
The content of this post is presented for health reasons.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are those who are quoted in this post and all those who are associated with these embedded videos. Thanks also to all publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
ARTICLE EXCERPT ABOUT ALTERNATIVES TO HAND SHAKING AND SOME OTHER GREETING/FAREWELL GESTURES
From https://qz.com/work/1813557/an-etiquette-expert-on-how-to-decline-a-handshake "How to politely decline a handshake" by Lila MacLellan, March 6, 2020
"The [handshake] gesture is a super-efficient way to spread germs, given that we also touch our faces unwittingly about one or two dozen times per hour, according to studies, most often touching our eyes, nose, or mouth. Performing the perfectly unnecessary custom of shaking someone’s hand raises the likelihood that you’ll infect yourself with any virus that’s going around.
Indeed, around the world, governments are recommending alternatives to handshakes (and kisses or nose-to-nose touching) to prevent the spread of the virus behind Covid-19.
[...]
Doctors, who have been dealing with handshakes-or-no-handshakes debate for several years, understand the significance of this social habit. In their arena, a handshake establishes trust. It helps allow a patient to feel they are being seen as a whole person, not just another body, in an era when medical appointments are often rushed.
Nevertheless, some physicians believe you can (and should) send the same message with an alternative greeting that also appears intentional and warm. In an op-ed in 2014 in the Journal of the American Medical Association*, for instance, three US doctors suggest either waving, putting your hand over your heart like you’re about to make a pledge, or holding your hands in the signal that a greeting has happened, with the certainty that a self-conscious half-greeting could not.
One of the doctors who authored that article also put up signs in a neonatal intensive care unit that read “handshake-free zone.” For employees at workplaces where customers typically expect a handshake and may initiate one, at a car dealership or mortgage lender’s office, for example, this might be an idea worth stealing, at least in the time of coronavirus. The message is clear: It’s not you, it’s policy.
-snip-
*Click https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/1873637? for the June 25, 2014 op ed entitled "Banning the Handshake From the Health Care Setting" by Mark Sklansky, MD1; Nikhil Nadkarni, BS2; Lynn Ramirez-Avila, MD, MSC3,4
****
VIDEO OF VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE GREETINGS AND THE REASON FOR THESE ALTERNATIVES TO HANDSHAKING ETC.
From Foot Shakes To Namaste: How Greetings Are Changing To Stop COVID-19 | NBC News
NBC News, Mar 5, 2020
New ways of greeting that avoid handshakes and kissing are gaining popularity to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
****
VIDEOS OF ALTERNATIVES TO GREETING/FAREWELL HANDSHAKING, HUGS, KISSES ETC.
(given in alphabetical order based on the first letter of the word, with numbers added in each category for referencing purposes only)
I. ELBOW BUMPING
Video #1: Debbie Dingell demonstrates elbow-bump handshake
MLive, Mar 2, 2020
U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, and Paul Mitchell, R-Dryden, demonstrated the “bump, don’t shake” move as a prevention tactic as the coronavirus outbreak reaches the United States. (Video provided by The Office of Congresswoman Debbie Dingell)
-sni-
"Bump. Don't Shake"
****
Video #2 Coronavirus: EU health chiefs greet each other with ELBOW BUMPS as fears grip the continent
ProductiehuisEU: Mar 6, 2020
European health chiefs today greeted each other with elbow bumps and by placing their hands on their heart today instead of the traditional handshake.
****
II. CROSSING YOUR ARMS OVER YOUR HEART
Note: The "crossing your hands over your heart" gesture is the same as the American Sign Language (ASL) sign for "love". It is also the same as the "Wakanda Salute" (from the 2018 American hit movie Black Panther and is performed without that the handshakes that come before and after the hand over heart gesture in that movie.)
-snip-
The "crossing your arms over your heart" may be done with a slight downward nod of your head.
Video #1: Signing 'love'- Sign Language
Bright Signs Learning, Jul 13, 2016
These are easy tutorials on how to use sign language with your babies. Early communication cuts down on frustration, builds confidence and encourages child/parent bonding. Bright Signs Learning teaches reading concepts to babies and toddlers using multi-sensory
****
Video #2: Seasons of Love (Sign Language)
Travis, Nov 26, 2016
Seasons of Love ASL
****
Video #3: Wakanda Forever salute takes over sports
Ten Thousand Africans, Mar 12, 2018
****
Video #4: Black Panther 'Wakanda forever' becomes new global salute for empowerment
IBTimes UK, Mar 14, 2018
The 'Wakanda Salute' from Marvel's 'Black Panther' movie has taken on a life beyond the screen. It has become the new symbol for black power. Celebrities and athletes all over the world have started to use the gesture in moments of triumph.
-snip-
Although, I appreciate the fact that the "Wakanda Forever" salute has been adopted by Black people throughout the world and has special meanings for us, I believe that this salute can be one of Wakanda's gifts to the world, as long as people remember where it came from.
****
III. ONE HAND OVER YOUR HEART
Note: I haven't found any YouTube videos of people greeting each other or saying farewell by putting the palm of their hand over their heart. However, this quick gesture is the same as or very similar to the gesture people in the United States do while reciting the Pledge Of Allegiance.
K3 kids recites the Pledge Of Allegiance
Tommy Bombon, May 28, 2010
K-3 students reciting the Pledge of Allegiance
Dougherty School Open House Presentation May 27, 2010
-snip-
The hand over your heart gesture can also be done by one or two pounds with your fist over your heart.
Putting the palm of hand or your fist over your heart gesture is often done along with a quick downward nod of the head.
****
IV. NAMASTE
Video #1: The Meaning of Namaste
Aumkar,May 15, 2016
"Namaste" is the most common greeting in South and Southeast Asia. Watch this video to find out its meaning!
****
Video #2: Namaste Goes Viral: Netanyahu Encourages Israelis To Greet With Namaste
India Today, Mar 5, 2020
The popular Indian greeting tradition Namaste goes viral after the coronavirus outbreak. Israel Prime Minister encourages to adopt Namaste instead of Handshakes.
-snip-
As is the case with the "Wakanda salute", people who adopt the Namaste greeting for health reason should be aware of the origins of and cultural meanings of that greeting.
****
Video #3: Namaste Song - with sign language
Linda Lara, Feb 15, 2013
Musical Yoga Adventures presents 'Namaste Song' with sign language performed by Karen Hrank
The 'Namaste Song' has been popular with teachers here in the US and internationally! It is a great song to sing for an assembly or choral concert. In addition, there is sign language that can be easily incorporated to go along with the song, and make it a great learning and performing experience. Please enjoy this new YouTube video, suggested by my friends at Children's Music Network.
-snip-
Some of the American Sign Language signs that are used in this song could be separated used as greetings/farewell gestures.
****
V. TOE TAP
Video #1: How to avoid Coronavirus - Feet tapping is the new hand shaking
Vali Bagas, Feb 29, 2020
People around the world aren’t taking any risks these days to avoid the deadly Coronavirus
-snip-
Notice that the men did a slight bow before doing a toe tap.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams
Visitor comments are welcome.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/the-history-meanings-of-african.html for a Feb. 2020 pancocojams post entitled "The History & Meanings Of African American's Dap Handshakes (with YouTube videos)"
ReplyDeleteAlso, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/information-about-videos-of-african.html for a Feb. 2020 pancocojams post entitled "Information About & Videos Of African American Women Giving Hugs When Greeting People Or Saying Goodbye".
These pancocojams posts were published before coronavirus (COVID-19) resulted in more people throughout the world considering alternates to handshakes, hugs, daps, and also "slapping five".
My daughter reminded me that the "toe tap" is almost like the 1990s dance move by Kid N Play which was later named after that Hip Hop duo.
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to the "Kid N Play" toe tapping moves:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXbupeaHAmE
Here's an excerpt from a March 13, 2020 article https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/coronavirus-covid19-bow-shake-hands-who-101609351.html
ReplyDelete"The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging people to adopt new ways of greeting amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The new strain – called Covid-19 – primarily spreads via infected droplets that have been coughed or sneezed out by a patient.
With many of us taught to “catch” our sneezes and coughs in our hands from a young age, shaking hands may be causing the virus to infect our colleagues, friends and new acquaintances.
To stem the outbreak, the WHO is encouraging people to “avoid physical contact” and instead adopt a “safe greeting” like a bow, nod or wave.
At the start of the now “pandemic”, everyone from Robbie Williams to European health chiefs were pictured “bumping elbows” as way of “saying hello” to their well-wishers.
The WHO’s director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned this puts people too close to potential patients, with a minimum one metre (3.2ft) “social distance” being recommended to stay virus-free.
“I like to put my hand on my heart when I greet people these days” he tweeted."
Here's a comment from an astrology blog I read http://starlightnews.com/wordpress/2020/02/a-sinking-ship/
ReplyDeleteBy: kiwi on March 10th,2020
at 10:28 pm
"change of subject: I noted with some amusement that Prince Charles, winding his way along the receiving line at westminster abbey, was placing his palms together and doing a slight ‘namaste’ bow instead of his usual handshakes."