Went hiking in Tenn this weekend near Cade’s Cove. The first part of the trail was busy where I came upon a group of about 20 clearly out for a short fellowship activity. As I passed safely on the right, out of this pack popped a 40 year old energetic tanned guy with a giant smile on his face and a faith quote on his shirt: “Amazing isn’t it” he said with enthusiasm. “Yea, nice day for it” , I replied “They don’t call them the Mediocre Smokey Mountains” he said, laughing and continued “God, sure is an artist” “Praise Jesus” I said lightheartedly but not mocking... and then it happened... “Scott Godman” saying his own name (I changed) he threw out his hand pinky to thumb oriented from ground to sky, fingers spread apart in the universal handshake position... as if to ask me who I trusted.. Jesus or Fauci, Faith or Science... What would you do? What’s the handshake norms now with strangers? It’s the second stranger handshake offer I’ve received recently.
If someone holds out their hand in handshake position I respond with first bump position. They usually get the hint and bump me. Not had any issues with that approach.
I know, it's awkward... I'm have to meet a few "new people" a week as part of my job, and I usually do shake their hand if they offer, and then make sure I don't touch anything before I can sanitize. I try not to get close enough to people that they would offer, like I stand far enough back to make them comfortable if they are observing social distancing ... but some people just come straight at you with their hand extended. Maybe offer a fist bump or something if it's just random stranger. I feel obligated in a business setting.
Basically do the same the same thing I have done for years when it comes to strangers and zealots. Cross my arms and stare at their hand and say that my religion does not allow for me to touch the unclean. Then walk away.
I wasn’t worried about the handshake per se. If I came across a large group randomly sitting around a circle out in the woods, I would be more worried about them possibly being cannibals.
How do you know he was a kind Christian man? Maybe he was, maybe he is a serial killer. If all you require to trust a person is a t-shirt slogan and a smile, you are making it too easy on them.
@gator7_5 , It was a fine exchange and I’m more religious than most righties on here teaching Sunday school and being an elder for 6 years at a 500 person church. I just know that God also provided disinfectant and the knowledge to know how not to spread viruses. I shook his hand, wished him a blessed day, quarantined my hand until out of sight and pulled out a Clorox wipe from the pack I carry. I put the used wipe in my disposable pocket in the pack “leave no trace”.
