It was not long ago that in this fair isle it was customary to greet our friends, relatives and associates with a gracious 'Ayubowan'. -'Hands together, complementing a beaming smile with a softly intoned 'Ayubowan'. We had a suave, staid, sincere salutation. With the passage of time, it was apparent that the western influenced 'handshake had superseded the former style of greeting. Well, a warm handshake coupled with an affable smile always served the purpose. Now, we see no 'Ayubowans', no handshakes but the fast catching on 'Cheek to cheek C2C - greeting, which I feel has nothing to commend itself to. I decry this practice for more reasons than one.

Firstly, C2C leaves little or no time for eye to eye contact between the two individuals. This eye contact by itself can transmit your joy, candour, and goodwill in no small measure, at the reunion. Secondly, if a host has to greet many, as may happen at a wedding or party, it puts a physical strain on the host. Further, C2C involves close physical contact. If the recipient is allergic to a perfume used by any guest, it will trigger an attack of sneezing or wheezing - all because of the C2C hug.

I've long wanted to point out the drawbacks in the C2C procedure, but I refrained from doing so, as I would have drawn flak, that a senior citizen like yours truly should venture to comment disparagingly on norms of socialisation currently in vogue! Fair enough. But my conscience prods me to go ahead, for yet another reason. With swine flu causing jitters among the population at large, C2C will be a health hazard. One may innocently carry the virus and transmit it unwittingly. Then it will be too late for regrets. May I suggest, that we desist from this form of greeting till at least the threat from the H1N1 flu blows over.