Greetings during the epidemic

Here Hannah and Mark explore how best to greet during the epidemic. 

Note added later - we now appreciate that we should also stay at least 2 metres apart! 

Hannah (wearing a fetching hat) attempts a hug!

But Uncle Mark says - No!

Handshake?

No, not that either.

So, what are the options?

1. Raising  (or 'tipping') your hat (hence the hats)!

This is nicely British but perhaps impractical as a main form of greeting because  you  need  a  hat!

2. The salute!

Both easy and hygienic but perhaps too military and sometimes used in a  mocking way!.

3. The Japanese foot-tap.

Because  there is physical contact - still some chance of pathogen transfer 

(also requires good sense of balance).

4. The elbow nudge

Probably more hygienic than a hand-shale but, as we are encouraged to sneeze and cough  into our elbows, perhaps not optimal.

5. 'Prayer-hands'

We quite quite liked this gentle greeting but not as much as option 6.

6. The head bob and heart touch.

So, this is a slight bow (from the neck) and then you touch your hand to the middle of your chest (roughly where your heart is) and you can keep your hand there longer if you wish to  express a stronger pleasure in seeing the other  person.

This is also best accompanied by eye contact and a smile!