Touching Dilemmas

When we were kids how many times were we told to wash our hands?

And while we moaned that they were clean anyway we somehow never realised that those appendages that petted the dog, tickled the cat, made mud pies or wiped our noses remained the worst carrier of disease-causing germs.

Simultaneously however our parents went red with embarrassment whenever friends and relatives came home to visit and we refused to shake hands because we thought an aunt was gross or that an uncle squeezed too hard.

In the merry confusion between good hygiene and good manners I, for one, have done my best to show respect to my elders, be friendly, show my good intentions and thank people who have done me a good turn with a warm handshake.

However, I have also over the years washed my hands a hundred million times because that long distance voice in my head tells me to wash them.

Now there are books and even a website telling people not to shake hands because the habit has become a major cause of contagious diseases. (Read report here)

The website of the US centre for disease control and prevention says regular soap and hot water ensure an illness-free life. It also advises lathering up and scrubbing for at least as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.

Cloth towels are forbidden, disposable paper towels are best and please use it to turn the tap on and off.

And when do you need to wash your hands? The list is endless but before and after preparing food, after going to the bathroom, and after blowing your nose, coughing and sneezing is a priority.

Unfortunately, after reading the whole list, I've decided that the next time we meet I will not extend my hand. Instead like the Japanese I will nod and bow or if you don't like that I can put my palms together for an Indian namaste.

Please don't misunderstand my decision. It's not because you will make me sick but because I am sick of washing my hands 45 times a day. I'm afraid they'll disappear.