In a post-pandemic world of boundaries and screens, the need for physical presence is turning into a biological crisis We are the most connected generation in history — and perhaps the most untouched. During the pandemic, when we were not allowed to shake hands, let alone breathe the same air, many of us turned into germophobes. We became frightened of touching– surfaces and people– lest we catch germs, not giving ourselves a chance to build immunity and resistance in the least. At the same time, one must admit, in a country where personal hygiene can sometimes feel aspirational (where water is scarce, odours arrive before introductions, and one frequently witnesses on the streets just how negotiable “privacy” can be when nature calls), I’ve developed a deep, unflinching commitment to the no-handshake policy. It’s not rudeness; it’s polite self-preservation. I much prefer the la-bise, the ceremonial air-kiss-and-hug routine that well-heeled women love to use when greeting. Equal parts warmth, performance, and careful distance, the air kissing allows you to express emotion, save your lipstick but not touch, just pretend.
Published: April 19, 2026 5:29 am
Source: The Express Tribune — Read original