Interesting Facts

According to senior business leader, Antony Jenkins, the chief executive of Barclays bank, young people in the UK are turning up for interviews lacking basic social skills, such as knowing how to shake hands. (Mr Jenkins told the Sunday Times, "It seems basic stuff: how to shake someone’s hand, look them in the eye and hold your shoulders back.” He added that while social media was a “very effective form of communication”, it was important young people could talk to each other face to face. Well these are the business leaders of the future Mr Jenkins, so how about learning how to fist bump?)

According to a survey conducted by the job-finding website monster.co.uk, more than half of British managers say they can tell whether they want to employ a candidate for a job based on the strength of their handshake. (8 out of 10 said the ability to maintain eye contact when talking to them was key. 6 in 10 said that small talk played a crucial role in their decision, and the same number said that dress sense was a deciding factor. So, dress well, practise your handshake, maintain eye contact, brush up on your small talk, and the job is in the bag.)

Brits are waving goodbye to the handshake. (The good old handshake is becoming a thing of the past in the UK, as it is now considered 'outdated' and even 'unhygienic'. According to a study commissioned by soap firm Radox, one in five of us feel shaking hands is ‘too formal’, and 42% said they would only do it in a business context. Almost 50% of us are using alternative ways to greet each other with 16% prefering a continental-style peck on the cheek and nearly a third opting for a hug.) PS - We have been discussing this on the forum since 2006. Source

Bus drivers working for the Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company in England have been warned not to call customers “babe”, “love” or “darling”. (Following a complaint from a woman who said that she had felt insulted by being called 'babe' when she boarded a bus.  A sign at the bus depot reads, "Please can drivers be aware that some of our customers may take offence at at having terms such as "love", "darling" and "babe" directed towards them.  This can be seen by some as by some as being a sexist comment, as a recent complaint has highlighted." I just hope they stop women bus drivers calling men "sweety", "honey", "son" or "my lover" too.  All things hubby has faced over the years.)

Today is world hello day. Say hello to ten people to promote peace and happiness.

Haptephobia is the fear of being touched. (It comes from the Greek 'haphe' which means 'touch'. With the rise of hugging as a greeting it's becoming more obvious who suffers from this particular phobia. Group hug anyone?) If you want to discuss hugging, kissing, shaking hands and other ways of greeting people , join the forum.