The Thoughtless Handshake
Please don’t shake another’s hand, should it be you have the flu,
Or if you have a cold, friend, as that’s not what you should do.
Yes, spare a thought for others, and refrain from shaking hands,
As shaking hands when poorly, a cold or the flu, simply fans.
Many will greet another, by proceeding to shake hands,
Which, sadly, sooner or later, some poor person in bed lands.
If only they had warned folk, that they had a cold, or the flu,
Then some that they shook hands with, may not have suffered too.
Often, someone will greet you, and extend their hand to you,
Then, during the conversation, state they’ve a cold, or the flu.
That’s when inwardly you groan, for you know that there’s a chance
That their cold or influenza, soon within you may advance.
A cold or influenza, so much misery can cause,
When someone, what’s expressed here, very thoughtlessly ignores.
But many just aren’t thinking, when they’ve a cold, or the flu,
Hence why they’ll still shake hands, when that’s the last thing, they should
do.
Next time someone shakes your hand, and says they’ve a cold, or the flu,
Let them know you’re unhappy, they’ve not shown thought for you.
And should they say before hand, that they’ve a cold, or the flu,
Tell them you’ll not shake their hands, lest their bug inside you brew.
Let us stop this merry-go-round, that’s compounding misery,
Via those thoughtless handshakes, that are seen so frequently.
If suffering from a cold, or suffering from the flu,
Remember, that shaking hands, is not something you should do.
If you shake another’s hand, when you’ve a cold, or the flu,
Not only might they suffer, but whoever they meet too.
For the next hand that they shake, may receive what they’ve just caught,
Hence why via this poem, friend, your attention I have sought.
Oh, by the way —
Before you prepare some food, for another to enjoy,
Or, when you’ve used the toilet, PLEASE, soap and water employ.
Otherwise, who knows what, may be passed on via you
To some unlucky person, who may pass on those things too.
Some folk who’re unhygienic, don’t appear to suffer ill,
But others they’ve infected, do not always fare as well.
It’s sad that many suffer, via such lack of hygiene,
That within society, far too regularly is seen.
Therefore, if you are truly thoughtful, you will always be
Concerned about good hygiene, and will act appropriately.
You’ll take the action needed, that will stop or minimize
That nasty bacteria, that lack of hygiene supplies.
