If you extended you hand for a shake and I refused to shake it because of your religious leanings, would you be offended? Why? [I have been trying this experiment based on a discussion here]
No, ask them their religious leanings and politely explain that this week I am not shaking hands with [insert religious leanings]
So I put my hand out to shake yours, and you ask me my religion? I wouldn't be offended. I would think you were a weirdo.
No you put out your hand and I ask [for example] " Are you an atheist? Because I don't shake hands with atheists"
Same answer, I would think you are strange. At that point I wouldn't care if you shook my hand or not.
So you would not think there is something wrong with you, because I am shaking everyone's hand but yours? You would not feel belittled or insulted or offended?
Most people I met were highly offended. So I think perhaps it has to happen to you in a public place first for you to comment on it.
Yeah, I tried out your theory. Strangely enough, most atheists consider it offensive if you don't shake their hands. Apparently, the right to have a handshake is a delusion shared by athiests as well Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! disclaimer: no one was converted in the execution of this experiment. Also, I refrained from dramatically exclaiming, "You sir/madam, are a ignorant bigot" while refusing to shake people's hands due to a difference in beliefs
I would be slightly miffed, but when you told me why you wouldn't shake it I would understand and wouldn't be offended.
Since Sam created this thread, I know the question is loaded, so I'm trying to offer my answer very carefully. I'd likely laugh at fist, because I'd think it was a joke. Then after discovering the person was serious, I'd say something along the lines of, "What the fuck? You're a faggot, bud. Don't worry: I didn't want to shake your hand anyway - it was just a gesture of politeness on my part that I felt obligated to fulfill. The hell with you." Then I'd walk away and regret how I overreacted. Yeah, it probably would piss me off if a stranger did it.
Ok I'll bite. Regardless of my stance my response would be that you're incredibly rude and if I'd known you had such an appalling attitude and disrespect towards others I would never have offered my hand. Promptly followed by walking away to find better company of course. In fact if I observed you do the same to someone else I'd refuse to shake your hand, again regardless of my own stance towards the issue. I'd feel the same if you said something like "I don't shake hands with black people". Or "I don't shake hands with Russians". I'm sure there are respectable reasons not to shake hands, but I don't consider religion one of them. Why the fuck should it matter? No I'd think there was something very wrong with you actually.
I thought I wouldn't be offended. I myself don't shake hands. Why do I have to touch people I don't know?? :shrug: But if I put out my hand to shake and a man said "I don't shake hands with women" I'd be miffed. But if it was about religion, I'd think you were a nut job....or Canadian. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! I'd be more amused than offended.