The point of shaking hands !!

[VernTMG]

Ok first of all let me say I am trying to raise a respectful, honest, and in general good young man. My son in the Boy scouts (in the process of completing his Eagle) has been in JROTC program, and is involved heavily in his robotics program at his high school, which takes a lot of his time. All the while trying to get good grades. Here is my rant, yesterday at a robotics competition there was a new mentor getting involved with the robotics team (in his mid 20's I think) and at the end my son extended his hand to thank him for his help and this guy told my son he doesn't shake hands with anyone under 18 and left my son hanging with his hand out there, but offered a fist bump instead. Now I was a little pissed when I found this out but, is the action of helping the elderly, holding doors open, or offering to do a good deed or gesture just gone in society these days. The gesture of shaking hands is in my opinion is a sign of respect and means something to me.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

I've run into a germophobe or two who won't shake hands because they think you're gonna give 'em something that will drop 'em like a rock in the next 24 hours. I just chalk them up to being nuts and move on. Can't say that I've ever run into this "I don't shake hands with anyone under 18" thing. In fact, I can think of a couple of instances recently when a hand as young as 7 was offered to me upon an introduction. But then, maybe I've been blessed to generally meet folks who were just brought up a little better and are teaching their kids the same way? I sure hope so!

Rick C

 

[gramps]

The only way I would give anyone a pass, is if they have aids, cancer, and are on drugs that decrease their immunity. It is well known that people up through 18 carry a bunch of virus! Otherwise, NOT COOL!
gramps

 

[Fox Mike]

If that individual doesn't care to shake hands, for whatever reason, it is his decision. That shouldn't in any way change what your son has been taught. Everyone should realize that they have no control over the thoughts and actions of others. Mark it as one more lesson in life learned and move on.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

If that individual doesn't care to shake hands, for whatever reason, it is his decision. That shouldn't in any way change what your son has been taught. Everyone should realize that they have no control over the thoughts and actions of others. Mark it as one more lesson in life learned and move on.

^^^^^^^^
This !

 

[Ale-8(1)]

It is well known that people up through 18 carry a bunch of virus! gramps

:?: :?: :?:

I'd like more details on that!

:shock: :shock: :shock:

 

[Wyandot Jim]

A SHAME. Another Old Time Tradition gone down the yugo%er.
You don't want to shake my hand we are DONE. Age has nothing to do with the tradition :wink:

 

[blume357]

The guy who refused to shake hands is one of these computer nerds I'm sure.... they generally have limited social skills.
Best to just let is go.

 

[SAJohn]

I never shake hands when I have a cold but do tell the person why. I once refused to shake my proctologists' hand but just as a joke.

 

[coach]

It is well known that people up through 18 carry a bunch of virus! gramps

:?: :?: :?:

I'd like more details on that!

:shock: :shock: :shock:

My wife is an elementary teacher and believe me from the stories about kids and their hygiene habits it’s true. :wink: At her age now she seldom gets colds. I believe it’s because she’s been exposed to so many bugs over the years she’s mostly immune. I doubt if 18 is a magic age though.

 

[Mobuck]

I'm not a "touchy feely" sort of guy but I shake hands with many of the people I meet while on the job. I ask some of these people some very personal questions and at the end, I feel the handshake gives them more assurance that they did the right thing by answering candidly.

 

[RSIno1]

Can't use the secret grip without shaking hands.

 

[Mobuck]

I don't differentiate as to age, sex, or cleanliness of the hand, but I DO have a big bottle of hand sanitizer in the pickup.

 

[Pat-inCO]

If that individual doesn't care to shake hands, for whatever reason,
it is his decision. That shouldn't in any way change what your son has been
taught. Everyone should realize that they have no control over the
thoughts and actions of others. Mark it as one more lesson in life learned
and move on.

Well said.

As it was told to me, the original purpose in shaking hands was to prove
that you were not armed with a knife (VERY long time ago). I believe that
time has passed. The "fist bump" is yet another example of stupidity.

To the OP:
This seems to be another "teachable moment" for your son.

 

[olcop]

My vote is for your son, he has been brought up well, he did the right thing in trying to express his thanks to someone who was helping him----too bad the instructor didn't have the courtesy to accept his thanks.

 

[Bob Wright]

The handshake, along with the military salute, was a greeting among MEN as a sign of friendship and welcome. It still remains so. I teach the young boys at my church that the handshake is a sign of welcome, respect, and friendship.

I don't have a class of boys to teach, but I see them each Sunday and do try to instill in them the characteristics of being Christian men. I don't "slap them over the head" or lecture them, just a word now and them and a brief example.

And when new members join our church, the pastor urges to "...extend to them the right hand of fellowship."

Good manners never go out of style.

Bob Wright

 

[JackpineWillie]

A few years ago at about age 12 or 13 my grandson discovered the gun club and soon turned into a range rat. Over that summer hanging out with 2 or 3 leagues a week he picked up on how men greet each other. When we got to deer camp that fall I was proud to see him meet the guys with a hand shake and a " How ya doin Tom, it's good to see you".

 

[eveled]

I'm wondering if it has to do with boundaries. No physical contact with minors, is a good policy for somebody who works with kids.

 

[coach]

I'm wondering if it has to do with boundaries. No physical contact with minors, is a good policy for somebody who works with kids.

You know I was kind of wondering that too. The world we now live in.

 

[Selena]

Perhaps it is a boundary thing. Perhaps it's just rude. Trouble is a fist bump can be accused of cultural appropriation so it's not all that much "safer."

In the end it's your attitude that defines you as a person. Case in point one of the people on my "home visit wellness check" list has a step-daughter that complains he is often curt with her and seems almost distant. I was puzzled by the complaint until the day I was there and she walked in the door, said hello to me then walked through the room without so much as an acknowledgement he was even there. While the TOB had no reaction just for G&Gs I took his BP a second time and found it was 20 points higher than a half hour before. After a bit of probing I was told that was her modus operendi when she visited. I can't help but wonder if the simple courtesy of saying hello would change their relationship drastically.

 

[Bob Wright]

I'm wondering if it has to do with boundaries. No physical contact with minors, is a good policy for somebody who works with kids.

That sort of walks a fine line, the location and circumstances of the handshake. First of all, I am never in the presence of young people, or even adult ladies, alone in a room. If I find myself in such a situation, I leave the area immediately. But most of the time, my greeting is in an open and populated area, such as the halls or auditorium of my church.

Very wisely, when the Billy Graham Evangelistic Team was in its formative years, they stipulated they would never be alone in a room with a lady who was not their wife. They adhered to that premise throughout their existence and so avoided scandal.

As for me, and most of my friends, we try to set the example of manhood to the younger boys. And when in doubt, search the Scriptures.

Bob Wright

 

[bobski]

if a person wont shake your hand, he most likely wasnt worth it.
a hand shake use to mean your hand was free of weapons.
if someone doesnt shake hands, it means he is armed and dangerous.
tell the son to avoid him.
hes like all the other new generation.....self centered and paranoid.
but your son is perfect.

 

[bobski]

unless kids contact with grown ups the right way...they wont know whats right and wrong.
a hand shake is world known as a friendly gesture.
its a way top secure a contract. its very biblical and an old jewish custom we the goy' have adopted.
avoiding contact with minors?
a hand shake?
its a hand shake. its not putting your hands down his pants for GODS sake.

 

[SATCOM]

WOW! You can not contract HIV by shaking hands with an HIV+ person without one cut and bleeding and other with large opening in the skin on right hands. I don’t think there are many hand shakes between two people (1 HIV+) both with bleeding open cuts on their hands.

You cannot get cancer by shaking hands with a cancer patient, or by hugging them, etc. Cancer is not an airborne disease. Neither is AIDS or Hepatitis C.

SATOM