I enjoyed placing my flower arrangements on the tables at a luncheon held in the Make-Shift Theatre at our beloved Hill-Stead Museum, in Farmington, Connecticut. The bottle of Purelle was hidden behind the flowers!
We are all aware, because of the Coronavirus, that health officials have requested that we abstain from offering or receiving a handshake. Many of you have asked me to touch upon this subject. Here are a few of my suggestions of how to graciously adapt to this new handshake hiatus protocol.
For dear friends and loved ones, my daughter, Caroline, suggested the “air kiss” which I think works brilliantly. Just the mere gesture of a big smile, hands semi-stretched out, and the “kiss- kiss” pantomime gesture (without actually touching the person), works like a charm to convey your joy upon greeting someone. When meeting a person for the first time, I admit it is truly a challenge not to extend my hand!
Prince Charles was also photographed offering an alternative greeting. He used “Namaste,” India’s gesture of clasping palms together, along with a slight bow, when meeting people. Having just hosted a luncheon for 55 ladies, to introduce our brilliant new Director of the Hill-Stead Museum, I suggested this very same method in place of a receiving line which I had originally planned!
The offering of the elbow, accompanied by a smile, is a simple and well-received gesture too. Our former nanny made me giggle when she hinted that eventually an “elbow” emoji would probably be created!
The foot touching greeting is a clever adaptation, but I find it rather awkward.
What happens when someone forgets and extends their hand? I would like to suggest that you choose one of the gestures above or the alternative: to embrace the handshake. I admit, I have shaken an outstretched hand because I do not want to offend the other person's gesture. But, in this instance, I make certain that I do not shake anyone else’s hand before sanitizing my own. For the few instances when I do shake another person’s outstretched hand, I cover my hands with sanitizer that I keep in my purse afterwards. Gentlemen, I imagine you are able to carry a small bottle in one of your pockets. It is considerate to apply the sanitizer incognito, either under the table, around the corner, or in the bathroom.
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Prince Charles has opted to use the Hindu “Namaste” greeting, with hands in a prayer-like gesture, in place of a handshake.
Millennial Tip
While hosting the ladies luncheon mentioned above, the museum opted to place a bottle of hand sanitizer on each of our dining tables. It was a brilliant idea. We instructed the hostess at each table to offer it to their guests by passing the bottle around, once everyone was seated. After each guest had the opportunity to use it, the bottle was placed on the floor next to the table hostess so that it would not distract from the elegant table setting. Needless to say, the bottle pass-along was well received!