The corona virus pandemic is a prime time to make systemic and cultural changes. Suddenly, we’re forced to stop doing things we do rotely, like shaking hands when meeting others. It’s so familiar, and so expected, #NoHandShake creates some awkward and funny moments—like elbow bump or flashing the Vulcan greeting. When Prince Charles forgot, he backed away then used the Namaste hands together greeting.
Photo Source: ETOnline Prince Charles Hilariously Forgets the NO HANDSHAKE POLICY Amid Health Concerns
When gaps appear between the usual practice and changed circumstance, as they often do in crisis or stress, that’s when new ways can be injected. For the new practice to stick, it has to convey a similar meaning as the old way unless the meaning itself is open to change too. So in the case of the handshake, replacing it with an elbow bump won’t work. Not serious enough. The Vulcan handshake carries an otherworldly feel given its origin in Star Wars, so that won’t take hold widely.
Interesting that Prince Charles resorted to Namaste, a traditional Hindu greeting. Probably due to Britain’s historical relationship with India, it’s a familiar gesture to him. It’s a respectful and widely enough recognized gesture that it could become the new global way. Diffusion—practices from one culture moving into another— is a common way cultures change. If the Namaste gesture does take hold, it will alleviate touching which some cultures avoid in public settings and which makes some individuals uncomfortable. What about a slight bow or just a smile?
The #NoHandShake is a small example of when and how change can happen. It’s a change you can make. Just choose your greeting gesture and use it. Eventually, either a handshake will return once the pandemic threat is past, or the new way will become the standard greeting. Pandemics are going to occur periodically in our global society, so why not make a no-touch greeting standard practice.
Larger system and culture change can happen in times of crisis too, so watch for the gaps. Then, try doing something differently in that space between the old way and the new need. The change might catch hold.