Is it better to shake hands politely or avoid spreading germs?
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I attended a social function where we were meeting a lot of new people. I had a very bad cold, although I had taken some cold medicine so it wasn’t blatantly obvious. When people tried to shake my hand I would say, “I’m sorry, but I have a terrible cold and I don’t want to get you sick, but it’s a pleasure to meet you.” After we left my husband was angry and said that everyone thought I was either stuck up or a crazy germophobe. Now I’m embarrassed to see any of these people again. I honestly didn’t mean to offend, but I’m a nurse and I know that’s one of the best ways to pass germs around. I just didn’t want to be a Typhoid Mary and spread my illness to everyone. I thought I was doing the polite thing. Do I owe these people an apology? GENTLE READER: For trying to avoid giving these people your cold? No. For not trying hard enough? Yes. Miss Manners is neither a nurse nor what you call a crazy germophobe. But she can tell you that the new people you m
