How the Coronavirus is Changing Global Greeting Etiquette

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing havoc across the globe.

Markets are in meltdown, flights have been grounded, gatherings banned and whole countries on lock down as the world tries to slow down its spread.

Of the many areas of everyday life hit by the virus, greeting etiquette is currently being transformed around the world.

Within the space of a couple of weeks, many of us have had to think about new ways of behaving around others, especially when it comes to body contact.

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Don't Shake Hands!

Did you see the video of the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, putting her hand out to greet the Interior Minister?

He refused.

And rightly so says Merkel in the clip.

 

Germany's interior minister has refused to shake hands with Angela Merkel amid growing fears over #coronavirus in Europe.

To read more abut #COVID19, click here: https://t.co/xc6iFpse15 pic.twitter.com/BaJUtSFJ0p

— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 2, 2020

 

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Current Etiquette & Customs Banned

Well, as well know, bodily contact can help spread COVID-19.

This has caused havoc on greeting etiquette around the world, especially in countries where it’s all about contact.

 

Footballers now don’t shake at the start of a match!

 

💥No Hand Shakes 💥

Looks Weird When Players Are Not Shaking Hands In The Premier League

Moves Comes After The Coronavirus Outbreak @K24Tv

pic.twitter.com/8Xfa7MESwW

— Shon Osimbo - Kasyula (@ShonOsimbo) March 7, 2020

 

The French and Italians have had to stop kissing one another! 

 

“No kissing, please!" In France, the coronavirus threatens a cherished tradition- cheek kissing @brian_aseli @KTNNewsKE #YouthCafe pic.twitter.com/6MXm5gWUwu

— KTN News Alerts (@KTNNewsKE) March 6, 2020

 

Even the Emiratis have been told to stop nose rubbing!

 

VIDEO: UAE advises people to avoid nose-to-nose greetings to prevent the outbreak of the coronavirus https://t.co/FHxmsXODKv

— Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) February 7, 2020

 

New Global Greeting Etiquette

But, the world is not going to let the Coronavirus beat it!

If we can’t kiss or shake hands, then we’ll find other ways, which is exactly what the world has been doing.

People are creating a whole new set of rules around greeting etiquette.

 

The Iranians have mastered the Wuhan Shake…

 

Iranians are reportedly avoiding greeting each other with their hands to avoid spreading #coronavirus - and using their feet instead. Watch from inside #Iran here, where 18 people have died from the virus.https://t.co/7nx0dB4FWN pic.twitter.com/6zPWQLysjN

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) February 23, 2020

 

Prince Charles has turned to using the namaste…

 

Prince Charles preferred #Namaste over #Handshake.

Say Yes to #Namaste, Say no to a handshake & hence #coronavirus. Age-old Indian way of greeting people called #Namaste is hygienic, friendly & centres your energies. Try it.#caronavirusuk #COVID19 #CoronavirusOutbreak pic.twitter.com/BUzHBVYRU7

— INSIGHT_UK (@INSIGHTUK2) March 9, 2020

 

The Americans seem to be enjoying the novelty of the elbow bump…

 

Rather than shaking hands, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is encouraging people to bump elbows to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The governor demonstrated it in a video of himself greeting people leaving quarantine at a facility in Omaha. https://t.co/AJiMf1HyV8 pic.twitter.com/5kpeU2cG2V

— CNN (@CNN) March 8, 2020

 

Star Trek fans have turned to the obvious…

 

People doing elbow bump are outdated. The correct greeting that is coronavirus safe is the Vulcan salute pic.twitter.com/5OUHXQGSen

— Mat Velloso (@matvelloso) March 6, 2020

 

Turks have found inspiration in their Ottoman roots…

 

Just “eyvallah”#coronavirus pic.twitter.com/C2tMUNJV4e

— Serdar Karagöz (@serdarkaragoz) March 6, 2020

 

…and the Japanese have done what they have always done! Michael Scott demonstrates.

 

With all this Corona Virus panic i think japan had the right idea in bowing instead of shaking hands. pic.twitter.com/RvW9aOFinq

— ȺӀ׹ղժմɾ (@Alxandur) March 10, 2020