It may not be as proper as a handshake, but greeting people with a fist bump could cut down on the amount of germs transferred from person to person.

It may not be as proper as a handshake, but greeting people with a fist bump could cut down on the amount of germs transferred from person to person.

Researchers in the United Kingdom estimated the decline to be as much as 10 times.

Their tests involved rubber gloves and a vat of not entirely deadly E. coli bacteria.

One of the scientists dipped a covered hand into the liquid and proceeded to exchange a variety of physical greetings with a likewise protected colleague.

After a series of shakes, bumps, and high-fives, the gloves were tested.

Those that had been subjected to the extended duration and greater surface contact of the handshake were decidedly more germ-covered.

In addition to the safer greetings tested, cheek kissing and the Asian tradition of slightly bowing the head, are deemed safer options.

Getting people to favor the less physical interactions is, of course, another matter.