Handling handshakes from strangers...?

[OldCavSoldier]

I just love Six's response back on page one....the old "hey, with all the swine flu germs and other stuff going around, I don't shake hands." Most outstanding. I could take it and change a bit of it to be, "I just had the flu...I don't want to give you anything."

 

[MrGutsy]

Wow. I am surprised that I am the only person who shakes the hand offered by a stranger. I may be naive but when I have to fear the offering for a handshake I do not think I have won the battle... I think I have lost the whole damned war.

mcdonl: I respect your right to choose your philosophy on life. This is a choice every man must make on his own. Keep in mind though, you mentioned that you have 250lbs on your side to back that philosophy up. I am considerably smaller, therefore in my case, keeping potentially hostile strangers at a distance is a force multiplier. However, I've found that you can refuse handshakes without being overtly rude. As many on the board have stated, good verbal skills are another layer of defense. I'm good enough with verbal BS'ing skills that I can keep someone at a distance and disengage without being hostile. As far as thinking I've lost the war over fearing a handshake, I'll disagree. Every day I go home alive with all relevant body parts still attached, I win the war.