I need some suggestions on something I have been having trouble with lately. Let’s see if I can explain this properly… I’ve always felt that when it comes to shaking men’s hands, it’s better to decline even though it is a big part of American culture and not shaking someone’s hand can be offensive. I never wanted to offend anyone, but I felt that not shaking a man’s hand when you first met allowed you to establish your personal boundaries right from the start. This could help avoid even more awkward situations in the future. However, lately I’ve been rethinking this philosophy because people aren’t just simply offended that I won’t shake their hand anymore. More commonly now they will also get this mortified look on their faces like they have done some terrible thing and can’t even look me in the eye. Generally that happens if they ask me why I don’t shake hands. I still prefer not to shake hands with men, but I think I need to find a creative way of explaining why so that the men don’t feel like they just tried to violate me or something!

I need suggestions! Does anyone have any ideas or advice for me on this? I’d really like to be able to give an answer that makes people admire Islam or at least respect the practice. What does everyone think?