Fear of Disease—How Plagues Changed Social Etiquette
Throughout history, the fear of disease has profoundly shaped human interaction, including the way people greet each other. Epidemics such as the Black Death (1347-1352) and the Plague of Justinian (541-542 CE) devastated populations, forcing societies to rethink physical contact. During the Black Death, which killed an estimated 25-50 million people in Europe, many abandoned customary greetings like handshakes and kisses on the cheek to avoid infection. The fear was so intense that people carried aromatic herbs or wore masks with long beaks, believing these could purify the air and shield them from disease.
One of the most enduring changes came with the practice of quarantine, first implemented in Venice in 1127 and formalized during later outbreaks. To prevent the spread of plague, ships arriving from infected ports were detained for 40 days before passengers could disembark—a practice that directly influenced social distancing measures. In England, infected households were physically sealed off, and guards were stationed outside to enforce isolation. These extreme measures reinforced the idea that physical proximity, especially casual touching, could be dangerous.
Even after plagues subsided, caution lingered. In some cultures, bowing, nodding, or placing a hand over the heart replaced traditional physical greetings, creating long-lasting shifts in social etiquette. The impact of these historical pandemics is still evident today, as seen during modern outbreaks like COVID-19, when handshakes and hugs were once again replaced by touch-free alternatives.
Religious Beliefs—Maintaining Purity and Modesty
Throughout history, religious beliefs have significantly influenced social etiquette, particularly in regulating physical greetings. Many faith traditions emphasize purity and modesty, leading to restrictions on physical contact, especially between unrelated men and women. These customs are deeply rooted in spiritual doctrines and cultural interpretations that prioritize moral discipline and personal boundaries.
In Islam, physical contact between unrelated men and women is often avoided to maintain modesty and prevent temptation. Instead of handshakes, many Muslims opt for verbal greetings like “As-salamu alaykum” (peace be upon you) or place their hand on their heart as a sign of respect. This practice is derived from Islamic teachings that emphasize chastity and respectful interactions. Similarly, in Orthodox Judaism, the principle of Shomer Negiah dictates that physical contact between opposite genders should be limited to close family members. While not explicitly mandated in the Torah, this tradition has been reinforced through Talmudic interpretations, shaping social conduct within observant Jewish communities.
Hinduism also reflects this principle through the Namaste greeting, where individuals press their palms together and bow slightly instead of shaking hands. This gesture acknowledges the divine presence in others while maintaining physical boundaries. Across different faiths, these customs illustrate how religious beliefs have shaped societal norms, reinforcing values of purity, respect, and spiritual discipline in human interactions.
Caste Systems—Avoiding Contact Between Social Classes
Throughout history, caste systems have rigidly structured social interactions, often prohibiting physical contact between different social classes. Nowhere was this more pronounced than in South Asia, where the caste hierarchy dictated every aspect of daily life, including greetings. In traditional Hindu society, the caste system was divided into four main varnas: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, with the Dalits—formerly known as “untouchables”—existing outside this hierarchy. Physical touch between castes, particularly between higher and lower castes, was strictly controlled to maintain perceived purity and prevent ritual pollution.
The notion of untouchability was central to these restrictions. Dalits were historically barred from making physical contact with members of higher castes, as such interaction was believed to defile the purity of the upper castes. This extended beyond greetings—Dalits were often required to maintain a physical distance in public spaces, forbidden from using the same wells, temples, or even roads as higher-caste individuals. In many cases, they had to verbally greet others from a distance or use symbolic gestures like bowing without physical proximity. These restrictions reinforced social segregation and upheld the rigid hierarchical order.
Despite legal bans on caste-based discrimination, such as India’s Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order of 1950, the legacy of these prohibitions persists in some regions. Even today, in rural areas, remnants of these customs remain, influencing social interactions and reinforcing deep-seated inequalities. The avoidance of physical greetings under caste systems was not merely a social norm—it was a powerful mechanism for maintaining rigid class distinctions, ensuring that caste boundaries remained unchallenged.
Political Control—Limiting Interaction to Assert Authority
Throughout history, governments and ruling elites have often manipulated social customs—including physical greetings—to reinforce power structures and maintain control over populations. By regulating how individuals interact, authorities could establish visible hierarchies, suppress dissent, and reinforce ideological narratives. In rigidly stratified societies, limiting physical contact between social classes was a way to maintain perceived superiority. For example, in imperial China, commoners were forbidden from physically greeting the emperor or high-ranking officials, reinforcing the idea of divine authority and social separation.
Beyond class distinctions, political authorities have also restricted greetings as a form of social surveillance. Authoritarian regimes, such as those in Soviet-era Eastern Europe, discouraged spontaneous gatherings—including friendly physical greetings—fearing they could lead to unmonitored discussions or subversive activities. By discouraging handshakes and embraces, governments could subtly manipulate public behavior, fostering an atmosphere of suspicion and control. Similarly, colonial administrations in Africa and Asia imposed restrictions on indigenous greeting customs, often replacing them with European-style handshakes to enforce cultural dominance.
In modern history, some governments have used health crises as a rationale to limit greetings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, several nations encouraged alternatives to traditional handshakes and hugs, reinforcing state control over public interactions. Whether through class-based restrictions, ideological enforcement, or public health mandates, political authorities have long recognized that regulating physical greetings is an effective means of shaping societal behavior and maintaining power.
Cultural Norms—When Eye Contact or Gestures Replaced Touch
Throughout history, various societies have developed non-contact greetings as alternatives to physical touch, often influenced by religious, social, or health-related concerns. In many cultures, gestures, bows, and eye contact became primary ways of acknowledging others while maintaining social decorum. This shift was particularly evident in regions where physical contact between genders was restricted or where hierarchical structures dictated formalized interactions.
In India and Nepal, the namaste greeting—where hands are pressed together in a prayer-like gesture accompanied by a slight bow—has been a longstanding practice rooted in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. This non-contact greeting conveys respect and spiritual recognition without the need for touch. Similarly, in Japan, bowing remains a fundamental aspect of social etiquette, with the depth and duration of the bow indicating varying levels of respect.
In some African cultures, such as in Zambia, greetings involve clapping hands or verbal exchanges rather than physical contact. Among the Maori of New Zealand, the hongi—a traditional greeting involving the pressing of noses and foreheads—symbolizes the exchange of breath, but in more formal settings, a nod or verbal acknowledgment may replace physical interaction.
The importance of eye contact as a greeting also varies across cultures. In Western societies, direct eye contact is often seen as a sign of confidence and sincerity, whereas in parts of Asia and the Middle East, prolonged eye contact can be perceived as confrontational or disrespectful. Instead, subtle gestures, such as placing a hand over the heart in Muslim cultures, serve as warm yet respectful acknowledgments.
More recently, global health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have reinforced the preference for non-contact greetings. Elbow bumps, waves, and nods have become widely accepted substitutes for traditional handshakes and hugs, reflecting a broader cultural adaptation to health concerns while preserving social interaction. These historical and modern examples illustrate how societies continuously evolve their greeting customs in response to shifting norms and circumstances.
Wartime Precautions—Preventing the Spread of Illness Among Soldiers
War has never just been about strategy and firepower—disease has always been an invisible enemy lurking in the trenches. Throughout history, armies have learned, sometimes the hard way, that illness can cripple a force just as effectively as an opposing army. During World War I, the Spanish flu ravaged military camps, spreading rapidly among soldiers in close quarters. In response, military leaders introduced strict hygiene protocols, including limiting physical contact such as handshakes and embracing.
As medical knowledge advanced, militaries became even more diligent about disease prevention. By World War II, armies emphasized sanitation, mandatory vaccinations, and alternative greetings like salutes to minimize unnecessary touch. During the Gulf War in 1991, concerns over biological warfare led to heightened decontamination procedures, which further restricted physical interactions among troops. Even today, modern military forces implement strict health measures, with recent pandemics like COVID-19 reinforcing the importance of social distancing and alternative greetings.
From medieval armies to modern military forces, the need to prevent illness has shaped soldier interactions. By reducing physical greetings, armies have not only protected their ranks from disease but have also ensured that their forces remain combat-ready in the face of biological threats.
Modern Echoes—How Pandemics Revived Ancient Taboos
The COVID-19 pandemic did more than disrupt daily life—it fundamentally altered how people interact, particularly in the realm of physical greetings. Suddenly, the handshake, a universal symbol of trust and cooperation, became a potential health hazard. Public health officials recommended alternatives like elbow bumps, foot taps, and even simple nods to reduce contact and prevent viral transmission. It wasn’t the first time a pandemic forced societies to rethink their customs. Throughout history, disease outbreaks have shaped social etiquette, often reviving long-forgotten taboos against physical touch.
Historically, plagues such as the Black Death in the 14th century led to similar shifts. During the pandemic, Europeans abandoned customary kisses on the cheek and handshakes in favor of verbal greetings or gestures from a distance. Centuries later, during the 1918 Spanish Flu, many communities discouraged handshaking, with newspapers warning that the practice could spread infection. The H1N1 outbreak in 2009 brought similar concerns, though not at the scale seen in the COVID-19 era. Each of these pandemics reinforced a fundamental truth: when health is at stake, cultural traditions adapt.
Different societies responded in unique ways. In Japan, where bowing has long been a norm, the pandemic reinforced the preference for non-contact greetings. Meanwhile, many Middle Eastern countries emphasized placing a hand on the heart as a sign of respect, a gesture already common in Islamic culture. Even in Western nations, where physical greetings are deeply ingrained, many people became more comfortable with distant acknowledgments. The pandemic didn’t just change behavior temporarily—it revived ancient customs that had once served as practical responses to disease.
Beyond immediate health concerns, the shift away from physical greetings also carried social and ethical implications. Choosing not to shake hands wasn’t just about personal safety; it became a gesture of collective responsibility, a way to protect vulnerable populations. Workplaces, diplomatic meetings, and even religious gatherings adjusted their customs, showing that etiquette is as much about public health as it is about tradition. As history has shown, pandemics don’t just leave behind medical consequences—they reshape the way societies interact, sometimes permanently.
