According to the
New York Times, the growing concern about a potential avian flu pandemic has led the World Health Organization (WHO) to advocate for increased usage of greetings other than the germ-laden "handshake". Here are some other forms to consider, with the final one being the officially recommended choice by WHO:
1. The "Bow": Being Korean, I am no stranger to this form of greeting, which conveys respect for both the other person as well as his/her personal space. The Westside Connection (Ice Cube, Mack 10, and W.C.) recognized its power with the release of "Bow Down" in 1996. However, could lead to bowers being vulnerable to a roundhouse kick to the head, should they forget to keep their eyes on the people they are bowing to.
2. The "Fist Bump": Growing ever-popular in the sporting world, the "Fist Bump" has succeeded the "High Five" as the cool way to congratulate a teammate, and is also prevalent in casual greetings among friends (sometimes makes for awkward situations when one party moves in for a single bump while the other opts for the up-down, triple-bump variation). Also, could still transmit germs found on the knuckles.
3. The "Head Butt": Commonly seen in football games more as a celebratory act, but likely due to the fact that the players are wearing helmets when doing so. This is what might happen if the "Head Butt" catches on in international relations:
4. The "Chest Bump": Further proof that athletes have been paving the way to better health, the "Chest Bump" is another aggressive form of celebration (like the "Head Butt") that could find use as a greeting among foreign dignitaries. As you can see, the "Chest Bump" is not relegated to sports figures; fairy princesses are also known to utilize the gesture as well.
5. The "Clothed Butt Patt": A socially controversial action that, oddly enough, becomes completely acceptable on any athletic field of play, the "Clothed Butt Patt" says "Great job, teammate that I swear I am not physically attracted to! This is merely an innocuous gesture of camaraderie, nothing more!" Might anger the religious right, however, who insist that the move only be done within the context of heterosexual marriage.
6. The "Elbow Bump": Made famous in the late 1980s by the Bash Brothers, Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco of the Oakland Athletics, the "Elbow Bump" is the greeting of choice for WHO, for not only retaining the intimate aspect of contact and minimizing the potential for germ transfer, but also evoking an image of grown men in the dark corners of locker rooms sticking syringes into each others' butts.
