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Old 11 December 2017, 02:19 AM   #1
Tony64
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Handshakes - yes or no?

Like it or not Flu season is upon us and by all reports it's a particularly bad strain this year. Equally concerning is that the CDC reports that their vaccine is only 10% effective against this year's flu strain, the worst in decades.

There's been plenty of threads recently regarding the flu vaccine, with well educated and informed proponents as well as those who have expressed equally valid sceptism. I'll not rehash the debate, but have compiled several recent threads for those late to the discussion.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ht=Flu+vaccine
("BC's thread - always a must read")

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...light=Flu+shot
("Flu shots- who gets them?")

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...light=Flu+shot
("Get your flu shot or you're fired")

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...light=Flu+shot
("Flu vaccine update - CDC reports only 10% effective")

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ht=Flu+Vaccine
("Way back in 2013 we actually debated this and then the vaccine was 63% effective!")

First, I'd like to personally thank everyone who contributed to these threads in a civil and respectful manner. Some reaffirmed my convictions, some challenged them, but from each view expressed I became better educated and for this I am truly grateful.

The purpose of my thread today is not to discuss the flu vaccine, so please let's not re-debate its efficacy, its risks, or its mandate for healthcare workers. I'd like to know what additional precautions each of you are taking this flu season.

Specifically, do you avoid handshaking? It's almost antisocial to not initiate a greeting handshake, and overtly antisocial to refuse one, and many of us feel too old and awkward for a first bump.

For the religious among us, are you less inclined to drink from the communal chalice (does your church even allow this?), or offer a customary physical sign of peace?

I tend to be a bit of a germophobe under the best of circumstances, and this whole flu thing just brings out my worst. I try to remember not to touch my face (amazed at how often we subconsciously do this) and sure, I can carry some Purell with me. What's the etiquette for using the Purcell after a handshake? I presume you wait until the person leaves to discreetly apply it, but what if the handshake isn't in passing but instead initiates an ongoing conversation?

Thanks for any other suggestions or insights, and stay healthy!






TL/DR version: Handshakes - yes or no?
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:21 AM   #2
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Old school, YES!!


We might die, but at least as a society we will maintain our dignity and more importantly our honor.
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:22 AM   #3
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Yes, unless I see that the person has coughed in his/her hand
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:26 AM   #4
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Yes, unless I see that the person has coughed in his/her hand
X2
With a new born in the house I’m washing my hands a lot these days anyway
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:26 AM   #5
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Yeah I still do handshakes. Don't go rubbing your eyes or mouths straight after.

Do you guys in USA do the surgical mask thing? Downunder seeing a lot of ppl walking around with blue paper masks if they're sick, very considerate of them. Believe practice grew out of Hong Kong from bird flu times.
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:29 AM   #6
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Yes, I will. I'll try avoid unnecessarily touching things and wash my hands regularly. Hand sanitizer is kept with me and used in between. I do wish more would cough into their sleeves sometimes.
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:31 AM   #7
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Yeah I still do handshakes. Don't go rubbing your eyes or mouths straight after.

Do you guys in USA do the surgical mask thing? Downunder seeing a lot of ppl walking around with blue paper masks if they're sick, very considerate of them. Believe practice grew out of Hong Kong from bird flu times.
Is it because they're sick, or because they don't want to get sick?
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:34 AM   #8
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Is it because they're sick, or because they don't want to get sick?
yeah mask-wearer is sick & don't wish to spread their germs

(those masks are pretty useless for preventing germs to the wearer anyway, I've got personal stash sourced from hospital OT... they're only good as a sneeze catcher IMHO)
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:34 AM   #9
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If I die from a handshake, I don't deserve to live.
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:36 AM   #10
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Yes, I will. I'll try avoid unnecessarily touching things and wash my hands regularly. Hand sanitizer is kept with me and used in between. I do wish more would cough into their sleeves sometimes.
Agree, but I see folks all the time that are coughing into their hands, sneezing into them, picking their noses. If not in public then in private (thinking of the guy in the car next to me today at the traffic light).

Usually I'd accept the handshake as a limited and acceptable risk, but this year I'm not so sure...

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Old 11 December 2017, 02:37 AM   #11
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yeah mask-wearer is sick & don't wish to spread their germs
Very considerate then.

Haven't seen that courtesy extended much here in the U.S.
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:37 AM   #12
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Yes I shake hands, but have the good sense to not extend I hand if I run into a friend in a restaurant. I wash my hands many many times during the day and I avoid touching door handles in public the best I can.
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:40 AM   #13
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Agree, but I see folks all the time that are coughing into their hands, sneezing into them, picking their noses. If not in public then in private (thinking of the guy in the car next to me today at the traffic light).

Usually I'd accept the handshake as a limited and acceptable risk, but this year I'm not so sure...

I know what you mean. I've been pretty sick before and past experiences leave me paranoid. It's especially hard not to be at this time of year, witnessing the same behaviour you mention. Regardless to what anyone says I'll do all I can to limit exposure. I'm also very serious about taking vitamins to help support my immune system.
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:42 AM   #14
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Yes I shake hands, but have the good sense to not extend I hand if I run into a friend in a restaurant. I wash my hands many many times during the day and I avoid touching door handles in public the best I can.
Door handles? Man, now you've just given me something else to worry about!

Handshakes, door handles, elevator buttons...

Back into my bunker until flu season's over
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:51 AM   #15
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Door handles? Man, now you've just given me something else to worry about!

Handshakes, door handles, elevator buttons...

Back into my bunker until flu season's over
Paper money is the filthiest thing around. If I have to touch some, I immediately wash my hands.
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:51 AM   #16
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Would say I also fall under the monicker of germaphobe, that said I believe there is something to building up your resistance by being exposed / handshaking throughout the year. I have noticed that I have personally had less incidence of colds since changing jobs, the new position exposes me to many more handshakes than previously.

Or it Could just be coincidence.
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:52 AM   #17
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I usually bow in front of people. This avoids having to shake their hand.
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Old 11 December 2017, 02:56 AM   #18
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Paper money is the filthiest thing around. If I have to touch some, I immediately wash my hands.
Now I'll have to get bitcoins.
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Old 11 December 2017, 03:01 AM   #19
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Would say I also fall under the monicker of germaphobe, that said I believe there is something to building up your resistance by being exposed / handshaking throughout the year. I have noticed that I have personally had less incidence of colds since changing jobs, the new position exposes me to many more handshakes than previously.

Or it Could just be coincidence.
^^^ 100% agree with this Gus. Exposure builds resistance, or, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

But specifically I was worried about this flu season, with a much more virulent bug and much less effective vaccine. Is it even possible to build up a resistance to the flu? Anyone?
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Old 11 December 2017, 03:04 AM   #20
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Door handles? Man, now you've just given me something else to worry about!

Handshakes, door handles, elevator buttons...

Back into my bunker until flu season's over
Elevator buttons I use my knuckle lol
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Old 11 December 2017, 03:05 AM   #21
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Old school, YES!!


We might die, but at least as a society we will maintain our dignity and more importantly our honor.
Isn't that what the guys on the titanic said? Go on deck in tuxedo and die like gentlemen while the band played on.


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Old 11 December 2017, 03:08 AM   #22
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Not if it’s bad for your health



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Old 11 December 2017, 03:08 AM   #23
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Door handles? Man, now you've just given me something else to worry about!
Anything that someone else touches (or comes in physical/aerial contact) is a potential channel.

Example: Guy uses a public restroom and exits without washing his hands. Door handle is now contaminated. Having seen this far too many times, I always grab a paper towel and turn the handle on my way out. No point inviting an intestinal flu or dysentery. At an Oakland A's ballgame several years ago, I witnessed one of the food workers leaving a restroom stall without washing his hands. Two innings later while grabbing a beer, I saw the same guy placing lettuce/tomatoes on hamburgers at the food concession stand.

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Paper money is the filthiest thing around. If I have to touch some, I immediately wash my hands.
Definitely one of the filthiest (and yet most valuable) bug transmitter.
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I usually bow in front of people. This avoids having to shake their hand.
Very honorable of you.
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Old 11 December 2017, 03:13 AM   #24
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Guy uses a public restroom and exits without washing his hands. Door handle is now contaminated. Having seen this far too many times, I always grab a paper towel and turn the handle on my way out. No point inviting an intestinal flu or dysentery. At an Oakland A's ballgame several years ago, I witnessed one of the food workers leaving a restroom stall without washing his hands. Two innings later while grabbing a beer, I saw the same guy placing lettuce/tomatoes on a hamburger at the food concession stand.
He's back, baby!

Welcome home BC, this thread was actually inspired by one of your own - I hope you approve.



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Old 11 December 2017, 03:27 AM   #25
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Yes I shake hands and at work many many times a day. At the gym I wipe down the cardio machines before and after I use them .
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Old 11 December 2017, 03:33 AM   #26
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I went overboard on this post and was wrong.
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Old 11 December 2017, 03:34 AM   #27
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Originally Posted by BristolCavendish View Post
Anything that someone else touches (or comes in physical/aerial contact) is a potential channel.

Example: Guy uses a public restroom and exits without washing his hands. Door handle is now contaminated. Having seen this far too many times, I always grab a paper towel and turn the handle on my way out. No point inviting an intestinal flu or dysentery. At an Oakland A's ballgame several years ago, I witnessed one of the food workers leaving a restroom stall without washing his hands. Two innings later while grabbing a beer, I saw the same guy placing lettuce/tomatoes on hamburgers at the food concession stand.


Definitely one of the filthiest (and yet most valuable) bug transmitter.

Very honorable of you.


Welcome back! That right there is the perfect example of why I'm very careful where I eat.
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Old 11 December 2017, 03:34 AM   #28
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Like George Carlin said, he swam in the East River as a kid and never got sick after that. He was immune from everything.

Paranoia about germs is a waste of time. They're everywhere. Keep your hands out of your mouth and nose and wash them often and you're probably fine.

Or else buy a bubble and climb inside.
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Old 11 December 2017, 03:49 AM   #29
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I shake hands when they are offered and I hold out my hand as a sign of friendship.

What I find strange is that someone who is so anti the flu inoculation, that you find shaking hands so dangerous. You have done nothing but disparage the shot yet are so afraid to shake hands?

I wont answer you again because all you are doing is trolling.
I don't know where this is coming from Dave, but I'm genuinely sorry if that's how I've come across. Please let's be friends and let me try to set the record straight before this goes any further.

First, I'm certainly not anti flu vaccine, but I am anti flu! I'm also pro education, and that's why I've solicited the advice and opinions of others, yours included.

There seems to have been a misunderstanding, and the onus is clearly on me to explain myself better if that's the case. Rather than accuse me of trolling, would you consider accepting my apology for not articulating well my views, and can we start over as friends?

If you were here I'd even shake your hand.

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Old 11 December 2017, 03:59 AM   #30
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Big on handshaking. If one is worried about getting sick, that’s what hand sanitizers are for. I keep a bottle on my desk.
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