Shall I Greet You With A Curtsy, Bow or Hug?

Choices are big deal and important these days, so let’s see how well I can handle this topic.

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With the help of google, here’s a reminder of the definitions for the words: curtsy, bow, and hug.

1. Curtsy: a woman’s or girl’s formal greeting made by bending the knees with one foot in front of the other.

2. Bow: to bend your head or body forward, especially as a way of showing someone respect.

3. Hug: squeeze (someone) tightly in one's arms, typically to express affection.

Having presented the definitions for curtsy, bow and hug there is no hold up or hemming and hawing in where I am going with this topic and why.  I have been wanting to address the way we greet each for the longest time, and without prejudice. But if we are to live a safe and healthy life in this modern world of poor manners we must set boundaries. We are our own law enforcement officers when it comes to our bodies and health. We have to guard and protect the self from any thing that’s harmful and not of good report. 

Hygiene is a very important part of our daily lives especially when we work in shared spaces or even at home. We must look out for each other when it comes to good health. We can’t go about hugging each other just like that even if hugging is comforting. Some people do carry a strong body odor. It’s the kind of odor that leaves prints and the owner identifiable. For example you can always tell when John Corn or Mary Orange is around. 

And here’s why I do not favor hugs anymore: scents trigger my allergy. And there are some people who wear strong scented cologne and perfumes. Sometimes I wonder if they bathe in them instead of water. Those scents can be overbearing especially if the person who indulges wraps their body around you and gives you one of the tightest hugs. If money was easily transferable as scents I would do the hugs every minute on the hour.

In days gone by, I can recall seeing people greeting each other. And when they do it was a handshake, a bow, or a curtsy. I didn’t see anyone wrapping their bodies around each other like they do now. And some of those hugs can be long. Men back in the day wore hats and caps a lot and whenever they greeted any one they would gently tip their caps or hats and nod.

In my opinion, it would be nice, healthy and helpful if some of the old manners and conduct could be restored for the sake of good health. It’s definitely not necessary to grab and hug each other when greeting.

Tah-tah! Promote good health.

Grace Dunkley-Asphall, Copyright © 2025