Both my children learned a valuable lesson at a young age, at least I thought it was. As a woman in the business world, it was as important to me in a first impression as making sure your suit was pressed and shirt was clean.

Approach a new person with your hand extended, a smile on your face, look them straight in the eyes and shake firmly – not too long, don’t linger. Don’t squeeze, just make the strength of your presence known. That is the lesson.

Both of my now young adult children have developed really strong handshakes. You know the kind that says, “hello, I’m here and look forward to getting to know you”. Not the kind that says, “I wish I could figure out why I’m here and what I’m going to do next.”

I have been worrying lately about whether the handshake will ever come back. It is certainly gone for now, replaced by the occasional elbow tap or fist bump. But really, now if even we wind up someone else’s presence, we find more a nod of the head behind a mask.

Is loss of the handshake hello a forever COVID casualty?

I suppose time will tell.