To Handshake, Hug, Bump or Bow: This is a Real Question
Has Swine Flu effected your behavior at public events? I am a recovering germophobe so these past few weeks have been a challenge for me.
On Friday and Saturday, I attended 3 different large events. I was curious to see if people would be shaking hands and hugging or just bump, nod and bow. I think I was just as nervous as they were.
At the first international conference on Friday, I came loaded with Purell (hand sanitizer) expecting to try to shy away from shaking hands. When I approach people and they put out their hands, I politely said I was not shaking hands and I was only bumping. The people that did not know me looked at me strange- not a good way to build rapport. The people who knew me and I did not hug or shake their hands were insulted. I quickly had to change my strategy. I had to shank hands- hugging was optional. I must have gone through a whole bottle of purell that day with my swine a phobia.
Later that night I went to a theatre social event and hugging was the thing. The next day at SOBCON, a social media conference, handshakes were in except for Phil Gerbyshak. He always hugs.
This is what I learned. Until Armageddon is upon us and the plague from Stephen King’s jumps off the page, we must continue to press the flesh and shake hands in America. Hugs- well your call (although I have heard they are less dangerous thank handshakes)
Just carry a lot of purell…
Hugging always wins for me Barry, for it’s a MUCH more personal and authentic connection. Folks who don’t hug don’t earn my trust, and I have a hard time connecting with them right away.
If folks don’t want to a hug, a firm handshake, a warm smile, and an eye-to-eye look tells me they’re okay with the idea of connecting, but just not with early hugging. And that’s okay by me too.
I guess what I’m saying is be authentically warm in your own way, and you can be just as effective at connecting as I am with hugging. False warmness or authentic coldness always leaves me wanting more!
Great connecting with you at SOBCon! Can’t wait to see what you do next!
That is good to hear Phil. Some people don’t trust me because I don’t drink- the hugging I like!