shanni-shanni Posted January 23, 2012 #1 Share Posted January 23, 2012 When my wife and I cruise we like to book open dining with 6 or 8 people at each table. There are always people who want to shake hands during introductions. How can I avoid doing that without appearing to be standoffdish? Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted January 23, 2012 #2 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Just tell them that your hands are still wet from using the Purell machines. And remind them that even the captains, hotel managers, etc. no longer shake hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeriatricNurse Posted January 23, 2012 #3 Share Posted January 23, 2012 When my wife and I cruise we like to book open dining with 6 or 8 people at each table. There are always people who want to shake hands during introductions. How can I avoid doing that without appearing to be standoffdish? Tom Well, you could teach/demonstrate the "Fist Bump", whereby each person, instead of sticking out their outstretched hand to effect a handshake; they make a fist and then 'gently' touch knuckles! :) I think that it was a Canadian invention! ;) (Like using one's knuckles rather than their finger tips on an elevator to press the button(s)! :D Actually, I have even read of people using their elbows, (S7S), to push the elevator buttons onboard! :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted January 23, 2012 #4 Share Posted January 23, 2012 I was also told Captain and officers didn't shake hands, then when we went to the suite party Captain came over to us with his hand out and so did most of the rest of the officers. ( I do inderstand why people would not want to shake hands ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted January 23, 2012 #5 Share Posted January 23, 2012 In a light and airy voice, when a fellow guest offers to shake hands, I usually 'trill' something like, "Please, no offense, but we must keep everyone healthy and avoid handshaking as HAL asks us to do..... but lovely to meet you." I think it's just a natural reflex to offer one's hand and I doubt anyone is offended when reminded it is safer to not do that on a ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted January 23, 2012 #6 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Well, you could teach/demonstrate the "Fist Bump", whereby each person, instead of sticking out their outstretched hand to effect a handshake; they make a fist and then 'gently' touch knuckles! :) I think that it was a Canadian invention! ;) (Like using one's knuckles rather than their finger tips on an elevator to press the button(s)! :D Actually, I have even read of people using their elbows, (S7S), to push the elevator buttons onboard! :p For a while a couple of captains used to "knock" elbows -- not that isn't even done. So no touching knuckles shouldn't be done either -- germs can be on the back of the hands and knuckles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea42 Posted January 23, 2012 #7 Share Posted January 23, 2012 At all of the get togethers where we met with the ships officers they shook the hands of all of the guests. At the Captains cocktail party there was a receiving line and he and the Hotel manager shook hands with everyone who entered the room. What gave me more of a surprise was that when we went to the Pinnacle Grill on the first night of our second week (still under Code Orange) the waitress removed the silverware from our first course that we hadn't used and used it to set the table that had just been vacated next to us. To me that was not a very hygienic practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleckle Posted January 23, 2012 #8 Share Posted January 23, 2012 I would not refuse to shake someone's hand when it is offered. No matter what you say, it is implied criticism of the other person's friendly gesture. We have also been on cruises where the officers shake hands and others where they don't. Many passengers have the small sanitizing wipes or bottled sanitizer with us that we use before eating, after handling the menu in the dining room or serving utensils at the buffet. So it is easy enough to sanitize one's hands again discretely as the situation requires without making an issue of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraelorMex Posted January 23, 2012 #9 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Why hang onto this outdated custom? The person who's hand your shaking at dinner might be the very person your elbowing out-of-the-way to get to the lifeboat :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rafinmd Posted January 23, 2012 #10 Share Posted January 23, 2012 It probably doesn't help here, but I think it's a good story anyway. Crystal stopped shaking hands about 10 years ago. The CD's now in their initial appearances announce the policy concluding with "If you stick out your hand we'll put a drink in it". For the people who have the power to do that what a great answer. Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typhoon1 Posted January 24, 2012 #11 Share Posted January 24, 2012 People seem to shaking hands less lately. It usually amounts to a wave across the table during introductions. Then comes the challenge. See if you remember their name next time you see them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JamesEM Posted January 24, 2012 #12 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I stopped shaking hands many years ago and have not been sick with the flu/colds since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankNJ Posted January 24, 2012 #13 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Why aren't doctors sick all the time ? And yes , most of them will shake hands the first time you see them . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderhorn Posted January 24, 2012 #14 Share Posted January 24, 2012 It's a personal preference, but I will always extend a hand when introduced to someone or greeting someone I haven't seen in a while. It's courtesy and protocol I grew up with and I have relied on my immune system and personal hygiene habits to protect me. It's worked well in the past and I see no need to change. I agree that your hands can be sanitized discreetly after a handshake if that is a concern for you, and I wouldn't be upset in the least if someone refused to shake my hand for health reasons.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gelo7 Posted January 24, 2012 #15 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I'm a fist bump guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted January 24, 2012 #16 Share Posted January 24, 2012 No handshaking here especially on a ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted January 24, 2012 #17 Share Posted January 24, 2012 For those who say they don't shake hands do you mean only on ships or in your everyday life as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Himself Posted January 24, 2012 #18 Share Posted January 24, 2012 The fist bump will do. It is a lot safer. Catholic Masses have "the sign of peace" which is a handshake. We drop it on cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinggranmama Posted January 24, 2012 #19 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I don't shake hands because I have a depressed immune system. If someone extends a hand, I just nod and smile sweetly and tell them how nice it is to make their acquaintance. If it's someone I know well, I would rather give them a quick hug (no kissing) than shake hands. And I carry hand sanitizer with me for use after viewing a menu. I have stayed very healthy using the regimen and insist that DH does the same since if he gets sick, I can too. I think times are changing. Maybe we will go back to wearing gloves like the first half of the last century. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 HappyCruiser Posted January 24, 2012 #20 Share Posted January 24, 2012 The fist bump will do. It is a lot safer. Catholic Masses have "the sign of peace" which is a handshake. We drop it on cruises. I don't do it there either & especially drink wine out of a chalice after 25 or 30 others have had their mouths on it. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dakrewser Posted January 24, 2012 #21 Share Posted January 24, 2012 A cruise ship is not an inherently "sick" place - if you shake hands in your office, or with a neighbor, then shake with your table-mate also. Follow your standard practice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amuse Bouche Posted January 25, 2012 #22 Share Posted January 25, 2012 I don't shake hands because I have a depressed immune system. If someone extends a hand, I just nod and smile sweetly and tell them how nice it is to make their acquaintance. If it's someone I know well, I would rather give them a quick hug (no kissing) than shake hands. And I carry hand sanitizer with me for use after viewing a menu. I have stayed very healthy using the regimen and insist that DH does the same since if he gets sick, I can too. I think times are changing. Maybe we will go back to wearing gloves like the first half of the last century. I'm kind of a closet germaphobe, altho I shake hands, have to for business, but I wash all the time, and fortunately since I work for a health care company, there are purell dispensers everywhere. Now, my mind is zooming in on that glove suggestion. If your hands, which have no weave to them, can become dirty, imagine what the gloves will pick up! It's not that something is touching your skin, it's that your skin will touch entryways into your body, like your mouth and eyes. They say the average person touches their face 18-20 times in an hour!! Shake hands and be mindful of touching your face! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candy Posted January 25, 2012 #23 Share Posted January 25, 2012 I don't remember which Cruise Director it was, when I extended my hand, replied, "Sorry, I'm trying to quit!" When I pass a Purell dispenser, I figure it's there for a reason, so I hit it. Candy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyDallasDi Posted January 25, 2012 #24 Share Posted January 25, 2012 A cruise ship is not an inherently "sick" place - if you shake hands in your office, or with a neighbor, then shake with your table-mate also. Follow your standard practice... ^This. :D A handshake is the generally accepted greeting in the business world. Norovirus is everywhere, not just on cruise ships. Why should one avoid shaking hands on a cruise ship when they do it regularly in daily life? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcrandle Posted January 25, 2012 #25 Share Posted January 25, 2012 In my city, the acting mayor greeted the Dali Lama with a fist bump, as we were in our peak flu season. Many comments were critical of this as disrespectful. The Dali Lama just smiled and returned the greeting. You can't hide CLASS! My point is that you should never interpret a greeting of less than a kiss on the mouth as an insult, because you don't know the other person's heart well enough to make a judgement. As Bear Bryant (the fabled Alabama football coach) said, "My momma always told me it doesn't cost anything to be nice!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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