The age-old custom of greeting with a handshake could be on its way out as many of us prefer to meet with a hug or even a kiss, a survey suggests.
一項調查顯示，英國人習以為常的握手問候方式已經(jīng)漸漸過時了，因為大多數(shù)人更傾向于在見面時擁抱甚至親吻來寒暄。

Almost 50 per cent are using alternative ways to greet, with 16 per cent preferring a continental-style peck on the cheek and nearly a third opting for a hug.
受調查者中約有50%的人用握手以外的方式互致問候，16%的人傾向于歐式面頰親吻禮，而近1/3的人會選擇擁抱問候。

One in five feel shaking hands is ‘too formal’, while 42 per cent said they would only do it in a business context. A further 42 per cent of those surveyed said they would never shake hands when greeting friends.
1/5的人認為握手“過于正式”，而42%的人說他們只有在商務場合才會行握手禮。接受調查的人中還有42%的人說他們在與朋友打招呼時絕對不會用握手這種方式。

One in 12 said they prefer not to do it in case germs?are passed on. The typical hand has about 150 different bacteria living on it.
1/12的人表示他們不愿意握手，因為擔心這樣會傳播細菌。一般來說每只手上存在大約150種不同的細菌。

Nearly a quarter claimed that the firm handshake is an outdated display of masculinity.
將近1/4的人認為，用堅實有力的握手來顯示男子氣概已經(jīng)過時了。

However, the study of 1,003 participants, commissioned by soap firm Radox, found some 87 per cent still believe it is more appropriate in business, while 73 per cent agree they would rather offer one when meeting someone new.
然而，在肥皂公司樂多舒招募的1003名受調查者中，有87%的人仍然認為在商務場合握手禮更加合適，73%的人則表示他們更愿意用握手的方式和新朋友打招呼。

The research estimated that the Queen has shaken half a million hands, compared with an average of 670 for men and 304 for women.
這項研究還估算出英國女王已經(jīng)握手50萬次，而普通的男性平均握手670次，女性為304次。

An expert today said it’s unlikely reserved Brits will ever be able to completely let go of the handshake. Psychologist Dr Jane McCartney said: 'I think the handshake is dependent on age.
一位專家今天表示，穩(wěn)重的英國人恐怕很難完全拋棄握手這種傳統(tǒng)禮儀。心理學家簡麥卡特尼博士說：“我認為握手取決于人們的年齡?！?/div>

'The older you are the more likely you are to prefer the handshake. It’s quite a formal introduction. Keeping the arm stiff and at a distance. It's like saying you’re there, you’re available but only in certain circumstances.’
“年齡越大的人越傾向于使用握手禮。握手是一種非常正式的介紹方式。保持手臂靜止，而且間隔一段距離，好像在說我在這里，我可以為你提供幫助，但只是在某些特定情況下?！?/div>

'Another form of greeting - a kiss or a hug, is a little bit friendlier. There’s been a lot of influence from all media - particularly on the television when you see celebrities greeting each other with a double kiss.’
“而另一種打招呼的方式—親吻或擁抱，會顯得更加友好。這種方式很大程度上來自于媒體的影響—尤其當你在電視上看到明星之間用相互親吻的方式來打招呼。”

'But I don’t think we’ve quite got it in Britain yet and I think it’s because we’re more reserved. Often we start with a handshake but this turns into an uneasy hug and gives of a whole host of mixed messages.’
“但我不認為這種方式已經(jīng)在英國普及了，因為我覺得我們還是偏保守一些。通常我們用握手的方式來打招呼，但這變成了一種讓人不自在的擁抱，而且所傳遞的信息也讓人容易混淆?！?/div>

Research also showed that traditional events like the Diamond Jubilee encourages us to be more formal. Findings showed a fifth of us will resort to the quintessentially British handshake during the June bank ]
調查還表明，類似鉆石婚慶典這樣的傳統(tǒng)活動上，人們會表現(xiàn)得更加正式。調查結果顯示，1/5的人在6月的銀行休假日期間會選擇典型的英國握手禮。

[en]The handshake is thought to have been introduced by Sir Walter Raleigh in British Court during the late 16th century.

人們普遍認為，握手禮是在16世紀末由沃特爾?雷利爵士在英國法院引入的。