It was a real shock, and we weren’t even allowed to provide mutual support by hugging any more. When the novel coronavirus arrived in Switzerland in March, suddenly nothing was how it had been before – not even how we greet each other. | Image: Angelika Annen

We used to have the polite custom of shaking hands to greet either someone new, or someone we don’t know so well. But this too is now banned. | Image: Angelika Annen

There are amusing alternatives nevertheless, such as the ‘Wuhan shake’ … | Image: Angelika Annen

… or a friendly touch of the elbows. | Image: Angelika Annen

Putting your hand on your heart, as is common in Arab countries, is a nice alternative. | Image: Angelika Annen

“Namaste” is a form of greeting in widespread use in India, South-East Asia and among the Indian diaspora. It also arrived in the West long before the coronavirus, especially through yoga classes. But this manner of use has triggered discussions about a possibly insensitive act of misappropriation. | Image: Angelika Annen

The fist bump is especially popular among young people, but this too means touching hands, so it’s also fallen into disrepute during the pandemic. | Image: Angelika Annen

It’s doubtful whether young people will ever resort to just a polite wave from a distance. | Image: Angelika Annen

The Japanese art of bowing could become a stylish, safe means of greeting people simply and respectfully during the corona crisis. However, the ritual in Japan itself is subtly organised. The degree to which people bow before others depends on their relationship and their place in the hierarchy. This can be a slight bow among colleagues (eshaku), lower for your boss (futsūrei), and lower still in a religious context (saikeirei). | Image: Angelika Annen

The prospects of the good old Continental art of kissing one another on the cheek (whether once, twice, thrice, or four times depending on country of origin) are not good at present. | Image: Angelika Annen