What Should We Replace Handshakes With In An Era Of Coronavirus?

President Barack Obama bumps elbows with actor Steve Martin in 2013 as fellow actor Jim Parsons looks on approvingly.

The humble handshake has taken a big hit to its reputation as the novel coronavirus has spread around the world. Governments are now warning their citizens that on top of washing their hands frequently, they should avoid unnecessary contact — including the customary greeting for millions.

It’s not just handshakes that are out. France’s health minister has said people should avoid the double-cheek kisses that his country is known for. And in Italy, the government’s special commissioner for the coronavirus sympathized with how difficult it would be to cut back on contact.

Luckily, the world is a very big place and there are plenty of No-Contact Greetings to choose from. We’ve put together a sample of them and want to know which you think should replace the handshake in these trying times:

1. Handshakes gotta go, but for what?

   BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty ImagesImage: Via Photo by Tanzanian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images A foot tap (otherwise known as “the Wuhan shake”)

   

   A foot tap (otherwise known as “the Wuhan shake”)Via Photo by Tanzanian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesImage: Via Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images An elbow tap

   

   An elbow tapVia Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty ImagesImage: Via Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images A shoulder bump

   

   A shoulder bumpVia Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty ImagesImage: Via Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for NARAS Sticking your tongue out

   

   Sticking your tongue outVia Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for NARASImage: Via Photo by Ben Birchall – Pool/Getty Images Namaste (India, Nepal)

   

   Namaste (India, Nepal)Via Photo by Ben Birchall – Pool/Getty ImagesImage: Via Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images Placing your right hand on your heart

   

   Placing your right hand on your heartVia Daniel Berehulak/Getty ImagesImage: Via Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for DGA Jazz hands

   

   Jazz handsVia Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for DGAImage: Via IRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images A wink

   

   A winkVia IRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty ImagesImage: Via Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images Raising your eyebrows

   

   Raising your eyebrowsVia Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty ImagesImage: Via ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images A hip bump

   

   A hip bumpVia ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty ImagesImage: Via LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / Contributor Wai (Thailand)

   

   Wai (Thailand)Via LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / ContributorImage: Via China Daily via REUTERS A wave

   

   A waveViaChina Daily via REUTERSImage: Via (Photo by Haidar HAMDANI / AFP V for Victory/peace sign

   

   V for Victory/peace signVia (Photo by Haidar HAMDANI / AFPImage: Via TORU YAMANAKA/AFP via Getty Images Ojigi (Japanese-style bowing)

   

   Ojigi (Japanese-style bowing)Via TORU YAMANAKA/AFP via Getty ImagesImage: Via Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Image A salute

   

   A saluteVia Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImageImage: Via DIDA SAMPAIO/ESTADAO CONTEUDO (Agencia Estado via AP Images) Finger guns

   

   Finger gunsVia DIDA SAMPAIO/ESTADAO CONTEUDO (Agencia Estado via AP Images)Image: Via BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images Flossing

   

   FlossingVia BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty ImagesImage: Via Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures A Vulcan salute

   

   A Vulcan saluteVia Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images for Paramount PicturesImage: Via Denis Balibouse A pirouette

   

   A pirouetteVia Denis Balibouse

1.  votevotesA foot tap (otherwise known as “the Wuhan shake”)
2.  votevotesAn elbow tap
3.  votevotesA shoulder bump
4.  votevotesSticking your tongue out
5.  votevotesNamaste (India, Nepal)
6.  votevotesPlacing your right hand on your heart
7.  votevotesJazz hands
8.  votevotesA wink
9.  votevotesRaising your eyebrows
10.  votevotesA hip bump
11.  votevotesWai (Thailand)
12.  votevotesA wave
13.  votevotesV for Victory/peace sign
14.  votevotesOjigi (Japanese-style bowing)
15.  votevotesA salute
16.  votevotesFinger guns
17.  votevotesFlossing
18.  votevotesA Vulcan salute
19.  votevotesA pirouette

Matthew Champion is a deputy world news editor for BuzzFeed News and is based in London.

Contact Matthew Champion at [email protected].

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Hayes Brown is a world news editor and reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York.

Contact Hayes Brown at [email protected].

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