Handshakes and real estate deals go, well, hand-in-hand. But the pandemic created situations where “shakephobia” agents must react to an outstretched arm.

NEW YORK – Most real estate deals involved a handshake along the way, either when people first meet or when a deal has been reached. But the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked “shakephobia,” where many people feel skittish about resuming the shaking-hand tradition.

When it comes to COVID-19 spread, that phobia is grounded in reality. Studies suggest that a handshake transfers four times the amount of bacteria as a fist bump.

Still, not everyone avoids handshakes. This leaves some real estate professionals in an awkward situation that requires them to politely decline an extended hand.

The alternatives that grew out of the pandemic – elbow bumps, foot taps and air high-fives – may not seem like very professional alternatives. That has prompted etiquette experts to propose some business-setting alternatives to the handshake.

A recent article at Reader’s Digest says the key is not to decline a handshake, but to deflect it. And in a 2014 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, three doctors suggested alternatives to the handshake: waving, putting your hand over your heart like you’re about to make a pledge, or holding your hands in the “namaste” prayer position in the front of your chest.

One doctor said he even put a sign up that was light-hearted but got the point across. It read: “Handshake-free zone.”

Patti Wood, author of “SNAP: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma,” suggests starting your greeting earlier than before – about seven feet out – if you want to dodge a handshake. She says this gives you a chance to slow the conversation down and introduce yourself to the other person first. You can set the tone by offering a wave instead of an extended hand then.

If the other person still extends their hand, she suggests placing your hand over your heart and leaning forward a bit instead of accepting it. Research shows they aren’t likely to be offended by this gesture because you’re still acknowledging their greeting and validating the interaction. Further, when people place their hand over their heart, they’re perceived as being more honest, according to a study from researchers at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Poland.

Adeodata Czink, who runs a consulting firm called Business Manners, told QZ.com not to pretend weird behavior isn’t happening but acknowledge it. She suggests another alternative: Raise both of your hands and say: “Please forgive me, I don’t dare, I have this coronavirus phobia.” She says the key is to keep your voice tone playful. “Make it a light thing rather than ‘I don’t want to shake your hand,’” she says.

Source: “How to Politely Avoid Shaking Hands and What You Might Try Instead,” USA Today (June 18, 2020); “The Polite Way to Get Out of Shaking Hands,” Reader’s Digest (March 26, 2020); and “How to Politely Decline a Handshake,” Quartz at Work (March 6, 2020)

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