Handshakes vs. Fist Bumps #2

In today's society we are seeing the rise in greetings through fist bumps. What ever happened to good'ole meet and greet handshakes? An article in the Huffington Post claims "Lets ban handshakes at work and start fist-bumping." As I started to read they made the claim that "...fist-bumps are way cleaner than handshakes and high-fives when it comes to spreading germs. That's because knocking knuckles means far less surface-area contact than squeezing together two sets of palms and fingers." It makes sense to fist bump because we don't have nearly as much contact area as our palms which can reduce the spreading of germs. It may be cleaner but germs are still being spread around. Parents are always telling their kids, wash your hands, wash your hands. Did we stop as we got older because no one told us to? Is it that society is getting lazier in with their personal hygiene that they neglect to wash their hands especially after using the restroom? Regardless of how we greet people it is important that we wash our hands and do so properly. I agree that fist bumps spread less germs but I also agree it is a casual greet amongst friends. You wouldn't fist bump at a job interview or anyone of authority over you. The classic handshake can define someone as who they are, by giving that firm shake and good eye contact can tell a lot about you. It's fallacious to think that we can get lazy and start fist bumping where we used to formally greet people. Just wash or sanitize your hands and prevent the spreading of germs.

Side note: Psychology Today The Art of Handshaking

They talk about different handshakes around the world and how in Utah they shake hands. I thought it would be funny to share.

"First we have to keep in mind that handshakes are cultural. If you go to Turkey or the Middle East handshakes may be very gentle – that is a good handshake to them. In Utah you are going to get what is called a Mormon handshake: enthusiastic, vigorous, and prolonged. If you go to Bogota, a handshake may be replaced with an abrazo, especially if you are well liked. The secret to handshaking is to mirror the culture you are in – when in Rome you do as the Romans and you just accept it."