Monday, January 14, 2013

Can I take a raincheck on that handshake?

There has been a noticeable uptick in the number of sick people around me during the last couple of weeks. I have been taking precautions: asking my sick husband to please sleep in the other room, making sure I have hand sanitizer at my desk and in my purse, and of course lots and lots of good, old-fashioned hand washing.

Today, I was introduced to a new co-worker. As we exchanged our "nice-to-meet-you's" she reached out and gave me a nice, firm handshake. The first thing I thought was, "Oh good, she isn't one of those limp fish handshakers." You know the type. Then with horror, I began thinking of all the other hands she had shaken in her round of first-day introductions. I was on my way to lunch and made a mental note to wash my hands before eating or at least use the aforementioned purse hand sanitizer.

Well, between the short walk from my desk to the cafeteria I completely forgot to do either of those things and wouldn't you know, a couple hours later I started to feel nauseated and dizzy. Although it's much more likely that this nausea is due to the questionable cafeteria kabobs I consumed during lunch, I can't help thinking back on that handshake and wishing I would have just asked for a raincheck until after flu season.


Ps. I've always wanted to learn this secret handshake from the Parent Trap remake. :)

3 comments:

  1. I thought the same thing the other day when a cashier at Walmart handed my daughter an empty gift card to play with. All I could think of was where it had been, who might have touched it. She hasn't gotten sick, but next time I will politely say no.

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  2. My boyfriend is super paranoid about hand sanitizing. But he also has a pretty weak immune system. My parents weren't hand sanitizing people, just a quick wash up before dinner. I rarely get sick! I think it's a good idea to expose your children to germs, but I might be wacky in thinking that.

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    1. I don't think you're wacky at all! I am not usually so germaphobic myself, but I'm expecting so I'm extra paranoid right now!

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