Hmmm...
That's not what I understand as, "fisting." I read that headline and got all excited there for a moment.
In the 21st Century it seems there are more ways to shake hands than there are Facebook gender categories (which number 56, if you're wondering). So what's an Englishman to do when faced with this breakdown of traditional decorum? Boffins at Aberystwyth University have suggested you make like Ali G and master the art of the …
I was somewhat mislead as well........
Coming back to the health aspect: I can't see that it can make that much difference. I'm currently working in a country where a kiss ion the cheek (or two or three) is a standard greeting and yet there's no evidence to show that there's a higher level of sickness here, in fact there's some evidence to the contrary.
It reminds me of the survey which said that people from Newcastle are less likely to wash their hands after they go to the loo. I haven't seen any evidence that they're sicker (well physically) than the rest of us.
> That's not what I understand as, "fisting." I read that headline and got all excited there for a moment.
Indeed.
I was anticipating a good read about the insertion of appendages into the vaginal opening of a woman for her sexual gratification. Imagine my embarrassment upon reading the article that it was no such thing.
Really ElReg, this sort of thing is just too much.
First time I heard the term it was associated with the Gay community, no vaginas involved.
Way back (pre-AIDS) some satirical rag (name gone Alzheimer's way) had a front cover headlined 'Ticka ticka Tumex' with a picture of a fist and forearm, wearing a watch, with brown stuff to mid-forearm. No prizes for guessing what the associated article was about. Damned near brought tears to my eyes.
Paris? Well you never know, might be a 'big girl'.
How refreshing to hear of politicians taking a break from fisting all of us and doing it instead with their spouses. This is a positive development which will bring many benefits, not just halt the spread of germs. It should be encouraged. Let Mr. and Mrs. Obama be an example to all of you in Capitol Hill / Westminster / ...
BREAKING NEWS:
People around the country woke up this morning with an extremely strange feeling - a mixture of relief, freedom and harmony, as politicians from around the world took to fisting and shafting each other for a change, leaving people in peace after millennia of interference, self-interested mismanagement and murderous exploitation...Analysts blame a shady gang of marijuana traffickers who are said to have infiltrated political circles at the highest echelons.
A couple of my fingers are a bit sore, dunno why maybe RSI or touch of arthritis. They are fine and I don't bother unless I actually whack them one when yes it does hurt. Believe me I really hate shaking hands with the bonecrushing types who have read too many Top Business Tips and are terrified of showing weakness by presenting a limp handshake. Can't be just me?
I too hate those prats who crush my fingers before then attempting to sell me expensive kit. They always seem so surprised when they don't make the sale. Almost as surprised as when I decline their rugby ticket bribes with "Sorry, I prefer ballet".
I dunno how they get such strong grips - some form of frequent and repetitive manual exercise...
Anyway, my motto has always been "Greet your mates with a fist bump, as a punch in the face often offends"
I'm probably too old already to think of this as an apt replacement for a formal handshake.
It feels to me too much like a macho display specifically designed to drive out secret thoughts of more intimate contact between the two people involved.
Like maybe actual fisting. Or at least a fervent oral argument.
Traditional hand-grabs give one the opportunity to crush the other party's fingers to show what a STRONG, MANLY handshake one has. I suppose if you want to do that with a fist you simply punch the other party as hard as you can?
Shakes and bumps are so impersonal. French cheek kissing, FTW!
...palmed hand, palms facing outward, fingertips and palms pointing up and shouting "Hao!". No contact, can't be mistaken by anything else.
"V" shape 2+2 fingers and saying "Live long and prosper": nerdy and great greeting.
Japanese bow works too. Except you can't tell, for some people, if they spotted a nickle on the floor and are about to pick it up. But the gesture is gracious, harmonious, almost reverential.
One arm extended forward at 45 degrees up, palmed hand, palm down-outward, not so much. Don't do that in public.
And there is the ultra-low profile, arms down, don't-let-my-wife-next-to-me-jealous hello hand-waving. That is one tricky move.