FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 09/24/2009) It is a ritual at gatherings such as the Greater Memphis Chamber Breakfast Forum at the Peabody Hotel.
A simple handshake is considered the standard greeting in business situations, but could this tradition be about to come to an end?
Linda Cornish is with the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce. She says the business community is concerned about preventing the spread of the H1N1 virus through hand shakes and admits it could be a hard habit to break.
"Here in the South it's really a difficult habit to shake."
Handshakes are being banned, sort of, by the business community. It's all because of fears surrounding the spread of the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu. That's the reason the Chamber of Commerce is working with the Memphis-Shelby County Health Department to launch a new "No Hand-shaking" stickers program.
"They alerted us to the risks that we will enter into the flu season. Forty percent of our workforce will be impacted in their estimation. So the Chamber wanted to make sure we helped our business community."
Aside from the stickers being passed out, the Chamber will also arm many in the business community with bottles of hand sanitizers and they're encouraging everyone to practice good hygiene.
"The virus is all around us according to the health department so we can reduce the risk of passing it on along with washing our hands and we'll allow members to be provided with hand sanitizers."
No one knows for sure if the traditional hand shake may be coming to an end, but who knows it could pave the way for us seeing others using the now famous Memphis fist bump between Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lower and the Dalai Lama when it comes to sealing a business deal.
- No Hand Shaking Stickers Unveiled For Business Community
- Greater Chamber Tries To Slow The Spread of H1N1 Virus
- Business Community Teams Up With Health Department
(Memphis 09/24/2009) It is a ritual at gatherings such as the Greater Memphis Chamber Breakfast Forum at the Peabody Hotel.
A simple handshake is considered the standard greeting in business situations, but could this tradition be about to come to an end?
Linda Cornish is with the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce. She says the business community is concerned about preventing the spread of the H1N1 virus through hand shakes and admits it could be a hard habit to break.
"Here in the South it's really a difficult habit to shake."
Handshakes are being banned, sort of, by the business community. It's all because of fears surrounding the spread of the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu. That's the reason the Chamber of Commerce is working with the Memphis-Shelby County Health Department to launch a new "No Hand-shaking" stickers program.
"They alerted us to the risks that we will enter into the flu season. Forty percent of our workforce will be impacted in their estimation. So the Chamber wanted to make sure we helped our business community."
Aside from the stickers being passed out, the Chamber will also arm many in the business community with bottles of hand sanitizers and they're encouraging everyone to practice good hygiene.
"The virus is all around us according to the health department so we can reduce the risk of passing it on along with washing our hands and we'll allow members to be provided with hand sanitizers."
No one knows for sure if the traditional hand shake may be coming to an end, but who knows it could pave the way for us seeing others using the now famous Memphis fist bump between Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lower and the Dalai Lama when it comes to sealing a business deal.
