COVID-Safe Suggestions for Greeting One Another

by Angela Tobias, Chair, Pandemic Response Task Force

According to many experts, we may need to permanently rethink the ways we greet each other after we do finally get this pandemic under control. Certainly right now we need to continue limiting physical contact with people outside our COVID bubbles. Early on in the pandemic many people came up with creative ways to greet one another but once the novelty wore off, most fell by the wayside (footshake, anyone?). It may be time to revisit the options and see if one or more might feel right to each of us to adopt for more long-term use.

Head nod: already in use by cool dudes everywhere, this is an understated yet friendly general-use greeting.

Slight bow: a sign of respect in many cultures around the world, this is always useful.

Hand over heart: especially good for when you want someone to know your thoughts are with them or you are empathizing with what they are going through, this certainly seems fitting for our times.

Peace sign: an oldie but a goodie!

Vulcan greeting (Live long and prosper): it is only logical to include this on our list.

Sign language greetings: there are many to choose from, and the most common will be recognized by even those who don’t know much ASL.

Air hugs/air high fives: for when a greeting that only uses your head and hands just won’t do!

Namaste/prayer hands: also a sign of respectful greeting in many cultures, this also expresses our mutual interconnectedness with one another and is particularly appropriate for the times we live in.

Shaka (hang loose): arising from Hawaiian surf culture, this greeting conveys welcome, friendship, solidarity, and an open, positive, laid-back attitude.

Finger heart: originating from South Korea where it was first popularized by K-pop stars, this greeting is made by crossing the thumb and index finger so that they make the bumps of a small heart. The heart is considered small enough to not convey romantic feelings, but rather more general goodwill and friendship.

Finger guns and a wink: while this is not everybody’s cup of tea, if you go with this option, be enthusiastic about it!

Credit to Katie Teague on CNET.com and Paul Dancstep on exploratorium.edu for inspiration and background info.