In China at the beginning of the annual session of the Supreme people’s Congress (NPC) was proposed to abandon the Western tradition of shaking hands when greeting because of the demands to keep distance between people due to the coronavirus. Instead of shaking hands, is invited to return to the traditional Chinese greeting, which is a series of bows. It is reported the government’s English-language Chinese newspaper Global Times.
This initiative was made by the delegate of the NPC session, the head of the Institute of Confucius in Shandong province in East China, Jan Coming.
"Coronavirus spreading around the world and can long co-exist with humanity. We believe it is necessary to rethink the etiquette of greeting and return to the simple and profound tradition to bow to each other with clasped hands, to ease public fears on the background of the epidemic, and to promote our cultural values. Therefore, we must abandon the Western handshake and instead use the traditional Chinese greeting", – quotes the edition of the proposal Jan.
Yang also notes that the sweat glands on the human hand is able to allocate a large amount of sweat that contributes to the spread of infection, whereas bows can be performed at a distance from each other.
Earlier, the Director of the National Institute of allergies and infectious diseases, USA Anthony Fauci told the publication The Wall Street Journal that the coronavirus will change some rituals of communication between people. "I do Not think that we will continue to shake hands, and to be honest is good because it can help including to reduce the number of cases of influenza", – said the scientist.
The British heir to the throne Prince Charles, meanwhile, promotes Indian greeting "Namaste" with folded hands and a bow. To revive this traditional Indian cultural greeting called on Prime Minister Narendra modi.
