Sign of Peace with a limp handshake

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123Strontium

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I’m sorry if this is in the wrong category

My question is : why do most catholics seem unfriendly as in they don’t smile and give you a limp, non-commital handshake, when we make the sign of peace. Most unfriendly are the younger generation I’ve found.

One time I had to shake hands with a guy who I saw wipe snot mucus from his filtrum with his bare hands, I still shook his hand for the sake of politeness. Bad memories.
 
I would never shake hands with someone who has wiped snot off their upper lip, their nose or their infransal depression. Period. Or their kids faces either for that matter.

I have shaken cold and limp and wet hands and just limp hands, and all varieties of the afore mentioned. It always amazes me how someone can have a look on their face like they smell poop, yet be wishing someone peace. And of course, in my parish, if they can’t physically shake hands with you they are holding up their two fingers in a peace sign. Not sure which is worse.

Can you tell I’m not a big fan of the sign of peace. 🙂
 
gh4 said:
I would never shake hands with someone who has wiped snot off their upper lip, their nose or their infransal depression. Period. Or their kids faces either for that matter.

I have shaken cold and limp and wet hands and just limp hands, and all varieties of the afore mentioned. It always amazes me how someone can have a look on their face like they smell poop, yet be wishing someone peace. And of course, in my parish, if they can’t physically shake hands with you they are holding up their two fingers in a peace sign. Not sure which is worse.

Can you tell I’m not a big fan of the sign of peace. 🙂
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I am quite familiar with the “dead fish” handshake. I’d rather have a peace sign than shake limp hands.

Catholic churches seem on the whole so much colder than the Evangelical Christian ones…
 
gh4 said:
I would never shake hands with someone who has wiped snot off their upper lip, their nose or their infransal depression.
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otherwise known as the philtrum for those who do not know.😃
 
I always assume that the person may have arthritis and it would be painful. At my age some may assume that I have that problem. I never let it bother me.
 
123Strontium said:
I’m sorry if this is in the wrong category

My question is : why do most catholics seem unfriendly as in they don’t smile and give you a limp, non-commital handshake, when we make the sign of peace. Most unfriendly are the younger generation I’ve found.

One time I had to shake hands with a guy who I saw wipe snot mucus from his filtrum with his bare hands, I still shook his hand for the sake of politeness. Bad memories.
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This is actually a very good topic to bring up. I have seen some teenagers and elderly putting their hands in various orifices throughout the mass to my detriment. I mean, I’m dreading having to exchange a sign of peace. And, saying to myself I won’t do it, I end up doing it because to me I would look very standoff-ish. I do however see some people who just turn to me and nod their head (while clasping their hands) because they have a germ issue I would guess.

To the heart of your question though. I’m a little disgusted with the limp sweaty handshakes as well. Sometimes these are young strapping guys who shake hands like powder puffs. Your right, this issue leans towards the younger generation.

Two suggestions. For the filthy handed individuals; carry some sanitizer or do the hand clasping nod… For the limp wristed; shake firmly back, or just accept that this is their style of shaking and live with it.
 
I heartily dislike dead fish handshakes, in any situation.

You know, it’s funny, once or twice I’ve given a dead fish handshake intentionally to a person I know gives a dead fish, and they actually looked surprised!
 
I usually do a “tough guy” squeeze. I want the person on the other end of the “hand-shake” to know I mean business and I am not to be messed with. As a result, I have left some bruises, broken fingers, etc in my wake. The best is when you do it to a guy in front of his kids. He is forced to squirm due to the pain.

I actually started training 15 years ago with one of those “Grip-Master” spring resistance trainers. My grip strength has increased tremendously and I can make a grown man come to tears during a 5 second “Sign of Peace”.
 
Andrew1980 said:
I usually do a “tough guy” squeeze. I want the person on the other end of the “hand-shake” to know I mean business and I am not to be messed with. As a result, I have left some bruises, broken fingers, etc in my wake. The best is when you do it to a guy in front of his kids. He is forced to squirm due to the pain.

I actually started training 15 years ago with one of those “Grip-Master” spring resistance trainers. My grip strength has increased tremendously and I can make a grown man come to tears during a 5 second “Sign of Peace”.
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lol.😃

That’s actually pretty rude, you know. :rolleyes:
 
I hear women complaining about being crushed in a firm handshake, which is why a lot of men probably give us the dead fish handshake. Most other women give a very weak handshake or give you “the paw,” which is when they give you their 4 fingers only, facing down as if you are being asked to kiss their hand. Does anyone know what I mean?

I gave up long ago on limp handshakes from men. I just try to do what I normally do, but if I feel a very limp shake, I adjust accordingly.

🤷
 
TheRealJuliane said:
I hear women complaining about being crushed in a firm handshake, which is why a lot of men probably give us the dead fish handshake. Most other women give a very weak handshake or give you “the paw,” which is when they give you their 4 fingers only, facing down as if you are being asked to kiss their hand. Does anyone know what I mean?
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Oh, yeah, like a Queen presenting her hand. 😛

I think, the firm handshake is another lost art, along with good conversation, and letter writing.
 
Maybe this is unusual, but I rarely get the limp handshake. Twice I’ve gotten a snarl of disapproval, but almost always a nice handshake, not too firm.
 
123Strontium said:
I’m sorry if this is in the wrong category

My question is : why do most catholics seem unfriendly as in they don’t smile and give you a limp, non-commital handshake, when we make the sign of peace. Most unfriendly are the younger generation I’ve found.

One time I had to shake hands with a guy who I saw wipe snot mucus from his filtrum with his bare hands, I still shook his hand for the sake of politeness. Bad memories.
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Some of us won’t shake hands at all.
 
I am all about a good, firm grip of a handshake. Show 'em you mean it. PEACE!
 
123Strontium said:
I’m sorry if this is in the wrong category

My question is : why do most catholics seem unfriendly as in they don’t smile and give you a limp, non-commital handshake, when we make the sign of peace. Most unfriendly are the younger generation I’ve found.

One time I had to shake hands with a guy who I saw wipe snot mucus from his filtrum with his bare hands, I still shook his hand for the sake of politeness. Bad memories.
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It’s flu season here in the US and some Churches just skip the sign of peace.

I don’t trust handshakes at any time anymore. Seen one to many people leave the restroom without washing.

Otherwise, the youth culture in Britain (I did live there once) is troubling.
 
wondrousgnat said:
I always assume that the person may have arthritis and it would be painful. At my age some may assume that I have that problem. I never let it bother me.
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I pray for a limp handshake. 😊

Often, I have very sore hands from Lupus. 🤷
 
Many good reasons/alternatives. Little hand sanitizers are good to have in one’s pocket, or as in my local parish, the priest outwardly said, “The peace sign is acceptable; as for the body, please take it your hands.”
He then sanitized his own hands . An odd sight in Mass, but understandable. One of the other priests wasn’t there. Sick, maybe?!
I also think people are still aware of their “invisible space boundary.” When I was devastatingly shy in my youth, it was awkward; had nothing to do with the service itself. Just me. Thank goodness I am not so shy anymore. But there’s still that flu season problem…Got it now…😦 Haven’t been sick since '91…
 
I have extend my hand out and sometimes they just don’t want to shake my hand, so now I just either raise my hand and say in a low voice peace to the folks arcoss the pew.

To everyone here
Peace be with you
 
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