Whether during a planned meeting or a chance encounter on the Highline, greetings are an overlooked part of day to day life while living on campus. Usually, a sort of unspoken social contract between two individuals exists, dictating whether and when it is appropriate to embrace, shake hands or high five each other. This usually depends on the hierarchical status of both individuals and their relationship with one another. Amongst friends, boundaries can often be fluid, since there is no power dynamic at play — greetings are often accompanied by a casual gesture or touch.

Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted this unspoken agreement, to the point that it can be difficult to navigate spending time with friends and classmates. Despite existing campus guidelines, as well as emirate wide policies which must be followed, there exists a certain freedom, albeit limited, to engage in a brief, casual touch. While these gestures are mostly displays of friendship and platonic affection, what can be done to prevent an uncomfortable encounter with a friend who expects a hug? How do you maintain friendships while making sure both parties are comfortable?

While a handshake is used both in professional and casual settings for showing good intentions, trust and building relationships, it can also be a source for spreading infection, so here are a few alternatives.

The Brief Fist Bump In a 2014 study, researchers at Aberystwyth University in Wales found that the transfer of germs during a fist bump is approximately [90% lower than that during a traditional handshake] (https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/news/archive/2014/07/title-153773-en.html#:~:text=Bumping%20fists%20may%20be%20a,at%20Aberystwyth%20University%20have%20revealed.&text=They%20found%20that%20a%20high,90%25%20lower%20when%20bumping%20fists).

The Elbow Bump While this greeting still constitutes a form of brief physical contact, it is less direct than a handshake or a hug. Extending one’s elbow ensures a safe distance from another person and often touching through clothing the elbow bump can avoid direct skin contact between parties.

The Footsie This alternative greeting is admittedly difficult to explain. It consists of extending one’s foot towards the other person and clicking shoes from the inside of the sole, as one would do with hands in a classic handshake. This method avoids any skin contact and can make for an entertaining encounter.

While the handshake can easily be transformed to limit contact, additional issues could get in the way of conventional social interactions. Limited and masked visits to friends in their dorm rooms is allowed, however just because it is an option does not mean everyone is comfortable with it. It has been shown that Covid-19 is more likely to spread in [small, poorly ventilated rooms] (https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-risk-higher-tight-indoor-spaces-with-little-air-flow-2020-5), which can make visiting other people’s dorm rooms seem more risky than ever before. But how can one tell a friend that one does not want to come over without making them feel uncomfortable or rejected? How does one politely reject offers of going off campus and make friends understand one’s new, pandemic related social boundaries? We asked Tina Wadhwa, the Associate Director of Health Promotion & Sexual Misconduct Support, for some advice in this regard.

Firstly, it is important to remember that one’s boundaries may be more strict than campus guidelines, which is legitimate and justified. Communicating these boundaries clearly is key and can help prevent uncomfortable situations. According to Wadhwa, the best solution is simply explaining that one feels uncomfortable in a given situation and suggesting an alternative plan. Wadhwa places emphasis on “creating the appropriate language” for establishing boundaries, in order to be able to feel more comfortable around other people. “I would encourage students in those situations to articulate their boundaries to their friends. If they're people who care about you, they should understand,” she suggested.

Now several months into a pandemic, it is becoming more and more common to have specific personal boundaries. “As we get further into this pandemic, it is becoming more of a norm that people are saying what their boundaries are,” Wadhwa explained. Additionally, it is less the case that people get offended by the boundaries of others.

Nevertheless, healthy communication between any two parties depends on both individuals. How should those on the receiving end behave? What do you do when taken aback or feeling isolated by what seem like too strict boundaries of the people around us? What do you do when the distance seems a bit more social than just physical?

“It's important for people to not only know how to set those boundaries but also know how to receive those boundaries and not take them personally," argued Wadhwa. Setting personal guidelines for one’s comfort does not come from a place of judgment, and should not be received negatively or perceived as an attack or offense. It is important to understand that the boundaries of one’s friends have nothing to do with the friendship itself.

Although the distance may seem discouraging, especially to individuals who are used to casual physical contact, making sure everyone is safe and comfortable should be an utmost priority. We often view consent within a narrow context, but it takes an important role in our everyday lives, the simple compassion of respecting boundaries becomes ever more important during a global pandemic.