How can I politely avoid shaking people's hands?

Question

I have a friend who does not wash her hands after using the toilet. It's absolutely disgusting. I once offered her instant hand sanitizer after she used the bathroom hoping she'd get a hint, but it didn't work. And she always offers her hand when she sees me. This really annoys me. How can I politely avoid shaking people's hands without hurting their feelings?

Answer 1

Say, "Sorry, but I have arthritis in my hands."

Answer 2

You can't.

Answer 3

You can't do this politely.  I would find it offensive if you didn't shake my hand and so would most other people who were taught that it's good manners to shake hands.

Answer 4

Do like the Queen and wear gloves.

Answer 5

If she is really a friend tell her what a gross pig she is! I simply don't shake hands unless I really know someone.

Answer 6

pick your nose and then offer to shake her hand.

Answer 7

Since she is your friend you need to straight up tell her that her hands are dirty b/c she doesn't wash them!

I can tell my friends anything!

Answer 8

I know a lot of people who do that...don't wash their hands after using the toilet...I guess they just never formed the habit of doing so.

Say you're not comfortable shaking people's hands anymore because you caught a really bad sickness from doing so...from an unsanitary person...

So just be like from this moment on I don't really want to shake hands with anyone anymore,for this very reason.

Answer 9

i dont think that there is a way to really do this politely. you have to straight up and tell her that you dont want to shake her hand. what she is doing is gross and she could spread diseases if she isn't washing her hands. you have to say something. if she doesn't start washing her hands she could get herself or someone else sick. she needs to wash her hands. and hey if you guys are really good friends she will understand where you are coming from.

good luck.

Answer 10

What if you cheerfully distracted her? As she makes the reach you could say "Oh my God, your dress looks SO GREAT," or did you SEE what's happening over there? Just say something to completely distract her for a minute and then the acceptable time frame for shaking hands is over. You can be cheerful and friendly without shaking hands.

Answer 11

Make your hand look nasty, like you have some sort of disease or something, then shake her hand, but say you're sorry that your hand looks so bad... you forgot to wash it after doing something nasty (make something up).  Then go wash your hands.  She'll probably get the idea pretty quick that maybe washing would be good to do.

Answer 12

I respond with " I just coughed and you dont want to touch that".

Seems to work.

Answer 13

I would say that you would just have to get used to it. If you avoid shaking one hand today, it means that you will avoid shaking hands everyday of your life, which affects your reputation.

Answer 14

There is no polite way to avoid this.  Simply wash your hands after shaking somebody else's.....that's what I do.

Answer 15

don't raise your hand back and she will eventually put hers down.

Answer 16

Shake hands with a limp handshake, excuse yourself and go wash or use hand sanitizer.