This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/twoxchromosomes by /u/scrollsalot on 2023-09-23 20:08:15.

My company does business with a wide variety of different contractors from different backgrounds. Recently I was included to aid with negotiating a new contract with a smaller family owned company with a deeply religious background. The company I work for has done business with them for years, but this is the first time I have worked with them. Before the start of the meeting all the men shook hands with each other, yet declined my hand laughing saying I would soon learn more about their religion.

I looked into it later and am feeling weird about what I’ve read. Three of the main reasons I have seen:

  1. Out of respect to their wives
  2. Resist temptation / sexual urges
  3. Not knowing if a woman is menstruating (“ritual impurity”)

I’m kind of horrified with these reasons. I understand it’s because of religious values, but these values make me feel small and ashamed of myself. A handshake with me is not sexual. Any contact with my body is not sexual. It’s not disrespectful to touch my hand.

I would never in a million years force anyone to shake my hand, but just knowing these are the values behind some religious groups avoiding shaking the hands of the opposite sex makes me sad. I’m not trying to be insensitive or discriminate against any religion which is part of the reason I am declining to write what their religion is. This isn’t me trying to attack any specific religion. This isn’t even about the religion itself. It was just disheartening to read these values and slightly infuriating how a lot of the articles I came across frame it in this light hearted manner. I just feel like if you removed the aspect of religion these reasons would never be acceptable today.

I’m posting just to hear others views or insight.