We are in the midst of a major historical event that will be sure to change life as we know it. The COVID-19 pandemic has already impacted our everyday routine, and changed the way of life that we are used to. One main thing that could be affected in the long term is greetings. We don’t even know how far into this crisis we have gotten. However, when quarantine does end, there is no way we will simply be able to go back to our normal lives.

Just like any major tragedy, people around the world will transform to take precautions in order to become safer. For example, as the bubonic plague swept through Europe, it ended the normal gesture of cheek kisses as a greeting. After 9/11, paranoia spread like wildfire, and air travel changed forever. Currently, teenagers don’t even remember what travel was like before extensive security. 

It makes you wonder what the next generation will have to grow up with in the aftermath of this pandemic. It will be interesting to notice what becomes the new norm, and what we will have to grow accustomed to. The psychological impact could be just as impactful as the physical, similar to all tragedies.

Being stuck in our homes for months on end will be sure to change our relationship with the outside world, including something as simple as keeping a healthy distance from others when interacting. This virus could put an end to handshakes, hugs, and high fives. Many public health associations around the world have been warning against friendly greetings, such as handshakes, during this pandemic. 

According to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control, experts have said nearly twice as many bacteria were transferred during a handshake than a high five, or fist bump. At this uncertain time, even the elbow bump has been cause for concern.

Alternative greetings could involve something that’s already popular throughout many island countries like India and Thailand. A simple bow-like greeting with a few different variants called the “Wai” could be adopted here in the US. It’s a way to say hello and thank you with different forms, which show different degrees of respect. It’s a cultural greeting that former Director of Nursing of Vineyard Post Acute, Michelle Massucco, claims could be beneficial to adopt into our society, 

“I think to have respect, and to acknowledge them without a handshake, there is a way and it’s been going on in other cultures for a long time. There’s no reason we can’t adopt that,” said Massucco.

The first variation is what you would do to greet someone you respect or is older than you. You would put your hands together in a prayer-like fashion and put your thumbs to your nose, then perform a quick bow.

The second, more casual Wai bow is the same prayer-like hands motion, but with a quicker head bow, and the thumbs touching the chin.

There is a third Wai bow, but it is used when greeting monks. We most likely won’t be using that one every day, but this could be a new style of greeting that could help us stay safe. 

If not the Wai bow, then certainly less hugs and most likley no more handshakes.