I’m Done With Handshakes
I’m been fighting through one of the worst colds I’ve ever had. I started feeling crummy on Friday, spent the entire weekend in bed, suffered through work on Monday, and had the entire experience crest with the worst headache and one of the longest pain filed and sleepless night ever. I finally am feeling better today, but man that was a nasty 27 headed viral monster.
I’ve never been a fan of handshakes. While I get the formality of it, I hate germs and – in a parallel universe – would probably spend all my time with my extremities wrapped in saran wrap. I’ve had a running joke of it with some friends, including Paul Kedrosky, who also thinks handshakes are stupid.
Today, Paul and I decided to start a movement – “No More Handshakes in ‘09"’. Fist bumps, elbow bumps, and hugs are fine – just no handshakes. Join us!
I am with you. Twenty years of nursing practice have taught me that the hands are filthy; worse than the mouth. Donald Trump has a custom where he bows as a greeting like the Japanese. I think he's on to something.
Perhaps the bow as a greeting is causal in the Japanese' claim to the longest lifespan…
Amendment Granted.
Switching from working from home to working downtown again has taken a minor toll on my health…public transportation is very convenient, but it's also an awesome disease vector.
just think of all the germs you get from doorknobs, sink faucet handles, banisters, hand rails, car door handles, elevator buttons, credit card pens at the store, money, etc. Handshakes are the least of your problems!
I’m not going to touch any of them either. In fact, I think I’ll just stay in my hermetically sealed bubble until spring time.
I think it's tough to skip handshakes, but I am a big fan of washing my hands obsessively whenever I'm meeting and greeting people. Perhaps the bow…
love the bow move. let's do it!
i vote for just flashing people
Nah – takes too long. Inefficient.
Here's a slightly different take on hygiene: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/health/27brod.html?_r=...target=”_blank”>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/health/27brod.h...
Brad: I'm willing to consider signing up for this movement, I just wish there was a way to tell each other apart. You know the non-hand shakers from the hand shakers. How do you avoid insulting the hand shakers if they do not have previous knowledge of this new stance?
One question: Will an entrepreneur get positive points when they walk into that first meeting with you and try to elbow bump?
I think I’m gonna start a Facebook group – that’ll help spread the word. Bonus points – definitely!
Kisses?
Ick.
Just one more way in which that genius Howard Hughes was 50 years ahead of his time! And all he had to work with was Kleenex.
Is there a startup working on expanding "touchless" paper towel dispenser technology to the abovementioned mechanisms? And how about "multitouchless" computer interface technology? Anybody working on that?
Touchless paper towel: Dyson has a fantastic product called the Airblade that is in production (I used it at Heathrow recently). http://www.dysonairblade.co.uk/
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/>Multitouchless computer interface: One of our investments – Oblong – has this up and running today. http://www.oblong.com
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Airblade- I ran across something like that (could well be that product) somewhere recently. It worked incredibly well.
Multitouchless! I was only kidding, but now that you mention it I think I remember reading about it on your blog a while back. So much for older memories…
I think we've got ourselves a movement here. This is sounding like an uprising. Fight the power! End the shake!
Speaking of which, I've become really good at using elbows, luggage, etc., to open/close doors, elevator buttons, etc. Really worries me that I'm newly so skilled.
I'm inclined to say that in the long run, handshakes – and the germs they spread – make us (humans/the human race) stronger.* Do you lick your fingers after you shake hands with someone? Wash your hands before you eat, like your mother taught you, and keep on keepin' on.
*Um, higher rates of inflammation (associated with sickness) may lead to shorter lives. http://bit.ly/8OS9. shoot.
Guys, ever heard of folded hands 'Namaste' ? No touching, please.
I am so in.
[...] I’m Done With Handshakes (Brad Feld) [...]
Namaste sounds like a great idea. The backup plan is to carry a small bottle of Purell!
[...] Feld and Kedrosky ban handshakes. I’m going to see Brad at VCIR in March. That gives me about six weeks to choose my favored [...]
I've been pushing this agenda with those who know me, for years (and with no real luck
Since I started being extremely conciencious about regular hand washing, especially immediately after hand-shaking, my rate of cold-contraction has plummetted.
The CEO of the company my wife works for has stocked every meeting room in the company with Purell and actively offers it around after hand shakes. It draws some weird stares, but I'm with him.
I don't know Brad sounds like the start of a Howard Hughes thing to me!
I never know when I'm supposed to hug a woman in a semi-professional environment. A great addition.
Purell has its own problems – helping the evolution of resistant bacteria chief among them.
I'm with you on the no more handshakes thing. I've never been a fan of handshakes. The funny thing is, the first time I met you in person a few years ago I knew about your dislike of handshakes, but the first thing I did when I met you was to extend my hand. It's tough to overcome conditioning.
I expect a big hug at the annual meeting.
For you, a hug, always!
If a handshake can tip you off, you should begin with checking your immune system. Seriously.
PS. What;s wrong with the message screen? Typed letters appear at a speed of 1 per second.
Adopt the Japanese tradition…bow…they figured out germs long ago. Just make sure you have head clearance or you will trade a cold for a head ache.
I think you've completely lost it. If you think handshakes make you sick, you're a neurotic hypochondriac.
The problem is, your generation has a nasty habit of touching their faces. Real men don't touch their face.
Can you at least grant me that I’m an “entertaining” neurotic hypochondriac?
Okay. You boys who were never taught not to touch your faces, go ahead and stop shaking hands. The actual men, who learned not to touch their faces and who wash their hands regularly, will continue to shake hands just as they always have. The two different groups men were easy to identify anyway, even without handshakes. The former with shoulder bags, hair mousse and fag-rag jeans. You can take your queues from the ladies, they don't shake hands either. You already mimic everything else they do. Last step: your a genital operation. Then you'll be perfect for them and you've solved our problem too.
Well then you better stop shampooing your hair and brushing your teeth too. Because those contain chemicals which kill jerms.
In fact, just ban soap altogether, lest we assist in the evolution of a lye resistant germ.
Doofus.
follow david brents example
kinda like the polygamist wink
as an intro is made – quickly rub derby (belly) in anti clockwise 180 degree motion. i vote for said 'secret handshake'
i am telling you – we need a call sign
I ran across the Airblade in a movie theater in Knoxville, TN of all places. It is awesome! No touching the towel dispensers, no paper mess, and *dry* hands. Why aren't these everywhere?
I'm with you on handshaking, I wish bowing would become more common. It's such a nice gesture, plus you can't go wrong with a bow – (unlike a handshake which can turn into a battle of strength or a limp fish. ick.)
Granted, although with a negative outlook to be downgraded to "mildly entertaining" if you really start a movement which seeks to eliminate all human physical contact.
Colds are spread by touching your eyes and/or nose after getting viruses on your hands. Studies have shown that despite various cultural taboos, people (that would include men, "Real Man," do so frequently).
Colds are spread by touching your eyes and/or nose after getting viruses on your hands. Studies have shown that despite various cultural taboos, people (that would include men, "Real Man") do so frequently.
Agreed. Some Masonic secret signal.
So don't touch your eyes and/or your nose after getting a virus. Or alternatively, if you do feel a pressing urge to touch your nose and/or your eyes, wash your hands beforehand. Preferably with soap, and so stimulate domestic consumption.
From http://www.webmd.com/news/20080529/safety-debate-on-anti...target=”_blank”>http://http://www.webmd.com/news/20080529/safety-debate-on-anti..."In 2005, an FDA advisory panel concluded that antibacterial soaps, as used by the general public, don't prevent illness any better than ordinary soap, and they may contribute to the rise of resistant bacteria."
Non-anti-bacterial soap is a mechanical cleanser rather than a chemical bacteriocide.
One of those very small spray bottles filled with ordinary rubbing alcohol (or Everclear) is way better than any smelly residue product. Works well for the car or purse, not so good in a pocket.
One of those very small spray bottles filled with ordinary rubbing alcohol (or Everclear) is way better than any smelly residue product. Works well for the car or purse, not so good in a pocket. Never ever in checked luggage on commercial aircraft.
I got a cold in December without shaking hands and apparently just from going to a shopping mall. Rule: Wash hands before touching face or eating. Store signing pens? I use my own pen, heavily to avoid touching a pen held my so many other people. Last time I was in an auto parts store, I got a box of latex gloves. Should remember to carry several when go shopping! They are on a shelf unit in the garage right next to the driver's door! Before walking into a big business meeting in a board room, put a latex glove on right hand, do all the handshaking, conspicuously walk to the nearest trash basket and, with scorn and contempt, drop the filthy, infected article into the trash, and then turn and smile! No doubt women are cleaner than men. SOOOOOO, men would be better off sharing restrooms with women! "Equality in restrooms!" "Pro-choice!" "Free to choose! Free to choose!"
Yes, like a handsh……nevermind!
All I know is that this comment thread has to be beyond even what Brad imagined. 51 (sorry 52) comments to this point on a thread about colds and hand shakes. A great post on VC or angel money in Entrepreneur magazine, nine comments! What is going on?
Brad, seems the time has come for you to file a patent on the "anti-handshake", a methodology or process patent on all acts of greeting (eg elbow bumps) sans handshake. We know how you feel about patents. Go further, with two elbow touches, perhaps our group can test out Apple's patent claim on "multi-touch"!
Actually, it seems like I should be able to patent the non-multi-touch non-handshake.
Only valid for use with auto-billing hygienic handshake plug-in for most wireless devices.
My personal favorite has always been what I call "touch fist," explained a bit more here from Wikipedia:
Pound fist or Fist pound
Pound fist is a greeting, in which two individuals touch fists. It is also known as a Dap greeting. Howie Mandel greets contestants on Deal or No Deal in this manner due to his mysophobia.
In Major League Baseball, players will sometimes pound fists after a great play, such as hitting a home run with men on base or turning a double play.
Also known as respect knuckles.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_gesture
we would have to get Howie Mandel to be the spokesman. And, have an allegory for really cool multiple action hand motions that involve no touching, but lots of spinning, twirling and tweeting.
I couldn't agree more with this sentiment and have sporadically practiced it the past few years without much success. I've leaned pre-school is a petri dish and, with a pre-schooler, am beginning to think my "no handshake" efforts may be moot for the time being.
Aren't hugs worse?
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] [...]
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] additionally points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier that year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]
[...] さらにSwidleyは、今年になってBrad Feldが握手を取り止めると約束したことを取り上げ、現状はどうなっているか尋ねた。Feldの答えはこうだ、「私の運動は完全な失敗に終りました。どうして自分が握手をしないかの説明を、何度も何度も繰り返すはめになったのです。私はすっかり嫌気がさして、これならみんなと握手をして、自分が一日中手を洗い続けた方が楽だという結論に達しました。」 [...]
[...] also points to Brad Feld’s promise earlier this year to end handshakes, and asked Feld how that was going. Feld said “My campaign [...]