10 Handshake Alternatives: Greet Anyone Without the Germs

Discover 10 science-backed handshake alternatives, from fist bumps to the eyebrow flash. Learn how to greet anyone warmly without shaking hands.

What Are Handshake Alternatives?

Handshake alternatives are greeting gestures that replace the traditional palm-to-palm handshake, also known as no-touch or low-touch greetings. These alternatives range from fist bumps and elbow taps to waves, nods, and culturally specific gestures like the bow or hand-on-heart. They allow you to warmly acknowledge someone without full hand contact.

Maybe you’re getting over a cold. Maybe the person approaching you just sneezed into their palm. Maybe you simply prefer less physical contact. Whatever the reason, knowing how to greet someone without a handshake is a skill worth having.

Here are 10 alternatives that keep the warmth without the germs.

Why Handshakes Matter (and Why Alternatives Do Too)

Before replacing the handshake, it helps to understand what makes it so powerful in the first place.

A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology by researchers at Harvard Business School and UC Berkeley found that negotiators who shook hands before a deal reached better outcomes for both sides. They shared information more openly, lied less, and made more concessions. Only about 30% of pairs spontaneously shook hands, but those who did performed significantly better.

Physical touch during a handshake triggers oxytocin release, which fosters social bonding and reduces stress.¹ That’s why a good handshake feels like an instant connection.

The challenge: you need that same sense of connection even when a handshake isn’t the right move. The best alternatives below replicate that warmth through eye contact, open body language, and genuine acknowledgment.

The best handshake alternatives replicate warmth through eye contact, open body language, and genuine acknowledgment.

10 Handshake Alternatives That Actually Work

#1. The Fist Bump

Forget the idea that fist bumps are unprofessional. They’re the most scientifically validated hygienic greeting available.

A 2014 study at Aberystwyth University, published in the American Journal of Infection Control, found that fist bumps transfer roughly 90% fewer bacteria than handshakes.² The reason is straightforward: less skin contact and shorter duration. A firmer handshake grip actually transfers more bacteria, while a fist bump is quick and minimal.

How to do it:

1. Make a relaxed fist (not clenched tight) while you’re still 3 to 5 feet away so the other person can see your intention
2. Extend your fist at about waist height
3. Give a light, quick tap — one second, tops
4. Pair it with a smile and eye contact

Best for: Colleagues, casual professional settings, anyone you’ve met before. Barack Obama famously used the fist bump with everyone from janitors to foreign leaders, helping normalize it in professional contexts.

Action Step: Next time a coworker extends their hand, try offering a fist instead. Say something like, “I’m a fist-bump person — keeps us both healthy!” Most people laugh and match you immediately.

#2. The Head Nod

The nod is the most underrated greeting in your toolkit. It works at any distance, requires zero physical contact, and sends a clear message: I see you.

The key is timing. When someone is approaching and still at least 3 feet away, give them a deliberate nod before they can extend their hand. This shows you’ve already acknowledged them, which makes a handshake feel unnecessary.

Direction matters more than you think:

• Downward nod = respect and formality. You’re briefly exposing the top of your head, which signals non-aggression. Use this with bosses, clients, and people you’re meeting for the first time.
• Upward nod = familiarity and trust. You’re exposing your throat, a vulnerable area, which signals comfort. Reserve this for people you already know.

Pro Tip: Research on nonverbal communication shows that nodding while someone speaks can increase the amount of information they share by three to four times. It acts as a “green light” to keep talking. So the nod isn’t just a greeting — it’s a conversation accelerator.

#3. The Smile and Wave

Open-palm gestures tap into something ancient. Showing empty palms signals “I have no weapons” and “I mean no harm.” Body language researcher Desmond Morris linked palm-up cues to perceptions of honesty and trustworthiness. Audiences consistently rate open-palm users as more approachable and credible.

A big, genuine smile paired with a wave is one of the warmest greetings you can give — no contact required.

How to do it:

1. Make eye contact first
2. Smile genuinely (a real smile engages the muscles around your eyes, not just your mouth)
3. Raise one hand to about shoulder height with fingers relaxed and open
4. Give 2 to 3 small waves — not frantic, not a single stiff motion
5. Add a slight eyebrow raise for extra warmth (more on that next)

Best for: Group settings, virtual meetings, arriving at a party, greeting someone across a room.

Showing empty palms signals ‘I have no weapons’ — open-palm gestures are rated as more honest and trustworthy across cultures.

#4. The Eyebrow Flash

This is one of the most fascinating findings in human behavior research — and almost nobody talks about it.

German ethologist Irenäus Eibl-Eibesfeldt spent decades filming candid interactions across dozens of cultures using a hidden mirror-lens camera. He documented the eyebrow flash — a rapid raise-and-lower of both eyebrows lasting about one-fifth of a second — in every single culture he studied: Europeans, Balinese, Samoans, Papuan tribes, South American indigenous groups, and more. Even children born deaf and blind perform it when they recognize a familiar person approaching, which suggests it’s hardwired into our biology, not learned.

The flash widens your eyes, making the whites more visible, which helps the other person instantly confirm you’re looking at them. It’s especially effective at 20 to 30 feet, where a smile might be hard to see.

How to do it:

1. Lock eyes with the person you want to greet
2. Quickly raise both eyebrows (it should feel natural, not exaggerated)
3. Let them drop back immediately — the whole thing takes less than a second
4. Pair it with a smile or nod for maximum warmth

Cultural note: In Japan, an eyebrow flash can be seen as inappropriate in formal settings. Stick to a bow or nod there.

Best for: Long-distance acknowledgment, pairing with any other greeting on this list, and making someone feel instantly recognized.

#5. The Elbow Bump

The elbow bump has a longer history than most people realize. Professional chefs have used it for decades — they call it the “chef’s handshake” — because their hands are constantly covered in flour, oil, or raw ingredients. The term “elbow bump” was first documented in 1981, and the WHO promoted it during the 2006 avian flu scare.

It went global in 2020 when U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams demonstrated it at a press conference, saying, “We should probably rethink the handshake for a while.”

The irony: The WHO later reversed course, noting that people were told to cough into their elbows while also bumping them as greetings. They shifted to recommending fully no-contact alternatives like the hand-on-heart gesture.

How to do it:

1. Bend your arm at a 90-degree angle
2. Gently tap the outside of your elbow against the other person’s elbow
3. Keep it light — this is a tap, not a collision
4. Smile through it (the slight awkwardness is part of its charm)

Best for: Semi-formal situations where you want some physical connection. Works well when someone extends a hand and you need a quick pivot.

#6. The Foot Tap

The foot tap — sometimes called the “Wuhan Shake” — went viral in February 2020 when videos from Wuhan, China showed people tapping feet together as a playful, touch-free greeting. It spread globally within weeks. Tanzania’s President John Magufuli was photographed doing it with an opposition leader, and OPEC officials adopted it at a meeting in Vienna.

It’s largely faded from everyday use, but it remains a fun option when you want to break the ice with humor.

How to do it:

1. Extend one foot forward (keep your balance!)
2. Lightly tap the side of your foot against the other person’s foot
3. Say something like, “Let’s skip the germs — foot tap?” to cue them in

Best for: Lighthearted moments with friends or colleagues who appreciate humor. Not recommended for formal professional settings or first meetings.

#7. The Bow

Bowing communicates respect without any physical contact. In Japan, there are three distinct levels:

• Eshaku (15°) — casual, for passing greetings
• Keirei (30°) — standard business bow
• Saikeirei (45°+) — deep respect or formal apology

In Western contexts, you don’t need to follow these precise angles. A slight dip of the head and shoulders — more than a nod but less than a full bow — conveys warmth and respect without the formality of a Japanese bow.

How to do it:

1. Make brief eye contact first
2. Dip your head and upper body slightly forward (about 15 degrees for casual settings)
3. Keep your back straight, arms relaxed at your sides
4. Return to upright after about one second

Best for: International business, formal occasions, meeting elders, or any situation where you want to show extra respect.

#8. The Hand-on-Heart

Placing your right hand over your heart while greeting someone is common across Middle Eastern cultures, where it signals sincerity, respect, and goodwill. It’s especially useful in contexts where physical touch between genders may not be appropriate.

The WHO recommended this gesture as its preferred handshake alternative in 2020, calling it “highly recommended” in traditionally affectionate cultures.

Why it works universally: The gesture draws attention to the heart area, suggesting emotional openness. It feels instinctively warm because it looks like you mean the greeting.

How to do it:

1. Place your right hand flat over your heart
2. Make eye contact and smile
3. Give a slight nod of the head
4. You can add a verbal greeting: “So good to see you” or “It’s a pleasure”

Best for: Cross-cultural settings, formal situations, and when you want to convey sincerity without touch.

#9. The Namaste

Derived from Sanskrit, “namaste” translates to “I bow to you.” The gesture involves pressing your palms together at chest height and giving a slight bow.

A note on cultural sensitivity: Namaste carries spiritual significance in Hindu and South Asian traditions. The Western yoga-studio interpretation (“the light in me recognizes the light in you”) is a modern reinterpretation. If you use this greeting, do so with genuine respect for its origins — not as a trendy alternative or a punchline.

Best for: Yoga settings, interactions with South Asian colleagues or clients where it’s contextually appropriate, or situations where both parties understand and respect the gesture.

#10. The Air Hug

Sometimes you spot a friend heading your way with open arms — and you’d rather keep your distance. The air hug lets you match their energy without the contact.

How to do it:

1. Open your arms wide like you’re going in for a hug
2. Stop at about arm’s length
3. Mime the hug with a big smile
4. Cheerfully say, “Air hug!” — the playfulness makes it feel warm rather than rejecting

It’s a little silly, but that’s the point. The shared laugh creates connection even without physical contact.

Best for: Friends, family, and people you’re genuinely happy to see but want to greet from a distance.

How to Politely Decline a Handshake

The most important thing: show your intention before someone extends their hand. Once a hand is hanging in the air, the awkwardness has already started.

The Pre-Empt Method:

1. Smile and make eye contact while the person is still approaching — positive nonverbal cues signal friendliness before you even speak
2. Lead with a warm verbal greeting: “It’s so great to meet you!” or “Hello! I’ve been looking forward to this.”
3. Offer your alternative gesture immediately — a wave, a hand on your heart, or a fist bump. This fills the social gap so the other person doesn’t feel rejected.

If someone already has their hand out:

• Acknowledge it with warmth: “I appreciate that! I’m getting over a cold, so I’ll spare you the germs.” Then offer a fist bump or wave.
• Or keep it simple: “I’m a fist-bump person — keeps us both healthy!” (said with a genuine smile)

Scripts that work:

• “Let’s do the germ-free version!” (offer a fist bump or wave)
• “I’m fighting off a cold — elbow bump?” (gives them a reason and an alternative)
• “Great to meet you!” (paired with a hand-on-heart gesture — no explanation needed)

As long as you make someone feel acknowledged, you can skip the handshake without anyone feeling snubbed.

Once a hand is hanging in the air, the awkwardness has already started — show your intention before someone extends their hand.

Action Step: Pick one alternative from this list and practice it at your next meeting or social event. The more naturally you offer it, the less anyone will notice the handshake didn’t happen.

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Are Handshakes Still a Thing?

Yes — but the rules have loosened. Handshakes have largely returned in professional settings, but comfort levels vary more than they used to.

A 2024 Preply survey found that while about 60% of Americans still prefer a handshake when meeting strangers, Gen Z’s preferred greeting is a smile, not a handshake. Nearly 30% of Gen Z say physical contact during greetings feels awkward.

A 2025 Harris Poll found that 65% of Gen Z had to relearn social skills after the pandemic — many entered the workforce having never shaken a boss’s hand or navigated a networking event.

The emerging norm: read the room and follow the other person’s lead. If they extend a hand, shake it. If they wave, wave back. If they offer a fist, bump it. The goal is matching energy, not enforcing a single ritual.

What Does a Handshake Symbolize?

The handshake is one of humanity’s oldest gestures. The most widely accepted theory is that extending the right hand showed you were unarmed. The up-and-down shaking motion may have been used to dislodge weapons hidden up a sleeve.

The earliest known depiction dates to a 9th-century BCE Assyrian relief showing King Shalmaneser III sealing an alliance with a Babylonian ruler. In ancient Greece, the gesture was called dexiosis (“taking the right hand”) and symbolized trust between equals.

In the 17th century, Quakers popularized the handshake as an egalitarian alternative to bows and curtsies — treating everyone as equals regardless of social status. Today, it signals professionalism, respect, agreement (“sealing the deal”), and sportsmanship.

A Note on Cultural Greetings

Some gestures that seem universal carry very different meanings across cultures:

• Thumbs up: Means “great” in the US and Northern Europe, but it’s a severe insult in parts of the Middle East (Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan) and Greece. Avoid it in international or multicultural settings unless you’re certain of the context.
• The eyebrow flash: Universal across nearly every culture studied — except in Japan, where it can be seen as inappropriate in formal settings.
• The bow: Casual in the West, but in Japan, the angle and duration carry specific social meaning. A too-deep bow to a junior colleague can create confusion.
• Namaste: Carries spiritual significance in Hindu traditions. Use it with genuine respect, not as a casual trend.

When greeting someone from a different cultural background, the safest default is a warm smile, eye contact, and a verbal greeting. Then follow their lead.

Handshake Alternatives Takeaway

1. Lead with the fist bump when you want a hygienic greeting that still involves contact — research shows it transfers about 90% fewer bacteria than a handshake.
2. Use the head nod to acknowledge someone before they can extend their hand — a downward nod for formality, upward for familiarity.
3. Try the eyebrow flash from across a room — it’s a universal, hardwired recognition signal that works at distances where a smile might be hard to see.
4. Pre-empt the handshake with a warm verbal greeting and an alternative gesture before the other person reaches out.
5. Match the other person’s energy — the new norm is flexibility, not a single default greeting.
6. When in doubt internationally, default to a smile, eye contact, and a verbal greeting, then follow the other person’s lead.

Ready to level up your greeting game even further? Check out the complete guide to reading body language for more science-backed nonverbal communication strategies.

The new norm isn’t a single default greeting — it’s matching the other person’s energy with warmth and flexibility.