My personal policy on touching as a chaplain goes as follows:
1. A handshake is the most appropriate greeting. When we deal with a person of another country, we should always bow before extending our hand. Allow the other person to extend their hand first. This will allow us to get a feel of their country's culture for greetings.
2. A quick one arm hug is fine when we know the person. But it should last no longer than 1-2 seconds.
3. A full on two arm hug can be appropriate when greeting persons we've known for years. But never on someone we've just met. When we do a two arm hug or bear hug, it should last no longer than 1 second.
Chaplain Ron Thompson
chaplain.ron@aol.com
chaplain.ron@aol.com
Baileyton United Methodist Church
International Federation of Christian Chaplains, Inc.
25 shadow wood park
Greeneville, TN. 37745
423.278.2783 Cell
515.661.0312 Office
