Why a Namaste is “healthier” than a Handshake
A recent BBC report suggests that, “…some computer keyboards harbour more harmful bacteria than a toilet seat”
“…Out of 33 keyboards swabbed, four were regarded as a potential health hazard and one harboured five times more germs than one of the office’s toilet seats. Â Microbiologist Dr Peter Wilson said a keyboard was often “a reflection of what is in your nose and in your gut”.
During the Which? tests in January this year, a microbiologist deemed one of the office’s keyboards to be so dirty he ordered it to be removed, quarantined and cleaned. It had 150 times the recommended limit for bacteria – five times as filthy as a lavatory seat tested at the same time, the research found.
Should somebody have a cold in your office, or even have gastroenteritis, you’re very likely to pick it up from a keyboard…
Poor personal hygiene, such as not washing hands after going to the toilet, could also be to blame, it said…
…Research by the University of Arizona last year found the average office desktop harboured 400 times more bacteria than the average office toilet seat.
Now guess what happens when you take your fingers off that keyboard and shake someone’s hand.
A “Namaste” would be a lot healthier… for everyone. Below is another reason why.
Related Post: A “Namaste” may be your safest bet
Some of you will enjoy reading this:
That Hand You’re About To Shake May Prove a Hazard to Your Health
us indians are more than immune to such petty germs considering the billions of bacteria we must be consuming in our food and drink 😛
“City kids on handwashing bout” http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bangalore/City_kids_on_handwashing_bout/articleshow/3596999.cms
A few schools across Bangalore are enthusiastically observing the first-ever UN-designated Global Handwashing Day. While some are getting practical with soap and water, others would rather just talk about it during morning assembly.
Also: “Hand Washing: So Important, It Gets a Day Of Its Own” http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2008-10-14-voa3.cfm
Wednesday, October fifteenth, is the first Global Handwashing Day. Activities are planned in more than twenty countries to get millions of people in the developing world to wash their hands with soap.
I think Namaste is good option than hand-shaking. Though hand washing is very important after coming home from outside and before every meal.
Too much washing of hand with soap and hand sanitizer is also not good. It takes away moistures from skin. I have seen early wrinkles on fingers and skin around the palm at very early age of the person.–again this is the beauty issue all may not find it useful.
I agree Indians has strong immune system.