I've never really gotten the fist-bump, but to each their own I suppose. I had always chalked it up as one of those things like Wil and Jazz's special handshake on Fresh Prince, defensive football players butting their facemasks after making a big tackle, receivers jumping up and bumping their hips together after a big reception, or soccer players....running away from everyone else after they've scored.

 

I've been witness to the random "fist-bump worthy" occasion where a friend really zings another with a joke at their expense, or where buddies watching a game together feel the need to celebrate a big play with a fist bump. HOWEVER, today was the second time this week where I met or was introduced to someone for the first time in a business setting and had that person offer their hand up in a fist, intending to bump knuckles rather than offering to shake my hand like a normal human being. Then there I was, left with my open hand out, and I had to decide, "Do I pull my hand back and make myself look like the foolish one as I make a fist and bump knuckles with this moron, or do I just let it hang out there and wait for him to change over to handshake-mode and risk making us both look like morons if he decides not to?"

 

I get that Asian cultures have always bowed, and that some cultures embrace when greeting each other...but am I just being too old-fashioned that I expect someone here in the United States to put their hand out and greet me with a damn handshake?

Edited November 14, 201411 yr by Colonels_Wear_Blue
Typo

Older folks and professionals, I go to the handshake.

 

The younger folks...fist bump.

I think the fist bump popularity rose with the H1N1 scare a few years ago and I guess it will continue with the Ebola scare. I guess it is supposed to be less germy.

Older folks and professionals, I go to the handshake.

 

The younger folks...fist bump.

 

This.

I try to avoid handshakes. In a professional setting I will but I have no idea where your nasty hands have been.

I never fist bump, nor do I enjoy it when people fist bump me.

 

Always a handshake.

I never fist bump, nor do I enjoy it when people fist bump me.

 

Always a handshake.

 

Next time we meet fist bump it is.

I try to avoid handshakes at all costs. In a professional setting I will but I have no idea where your nasty hands have been.

 

I keep hand-sanitizer close at all times.

 

PSA: ALWAYS wash/sanitize your hands after shaking hands.

 

I feel like a handshake is more formal, and that in when meeting someone or working with someone professional, it makes a good first impression.

Next time we meet fist bump it is.

 

I'll leave you hanging.

 

Or make you dap it up.

I keep hand-sanitizer close at all times.

 

PSA: ALWAYS wash/sanitize your hands after shaking hands.

 

I feel like a handshake is more formal, and that in when meeting someone or working with someone professional, it makes a good first impression.

Agreed in a work environment it's a must but I'm not a big fan. I'd never offer the first bump at work.

I'll leave you hanging.

 

Or make you dap it up.

 

Nah, you will leave with a belly ache where I missed your fist.

I've noticed in more recent years at high school basketball games when the starting lineup is announced to the floor and each player does the ritual of running around and acknowledging the opposition's coach and the referees, they all bump fist, also making the referees fist bump back.

 

I figured that it's a lazier new trend under the guise of it being cool and trendy, giving males an alternative for guys to touch and acknowledge one another other than the traditional grip (although that might be an unspoken reason), plus as was mentioned, it probably is a more sanitary way to do it other than a handshake.

 

After all the years of the handshake being the accepted norm, it does feel a bit like we're rapidly losing it to the fist bump.

 

Still, I must admit being a bit of a germophobe, and have felt the bump to be safer. If I'm being introduced to an older person though, and especially if they have a conservative look, I won't put them through it as it would feel disrespectful.

I've never seen a fist bump as a greeting, only as some sort of celebration

I shake hands when I greet someone, with the ones close to me or I care a lot about it will be accompanied with a hug and maybe a back slap

I've never seen a fist bump as a greeting, only as some sort of celebration

This.