She sat down with her drink and dug into a bowl of small crackers. She didn’t say anything to the crackers, nor to us and of course, crackers don’t talk. So, I spoke for all of us in the room and in the bowl, “You'll probably pass your cold to us by tucking into the bowl of crackers," I said with a chuckle.
We’ve all, and definitely with good intentions, avoided someone’s friendly greeting by pushing out our hand in a gesture of protection. If you have a cold and you think you’re that contagious, why are you out?
Did you tell the bartender that you had a cold when he picked up your glass? Did you touch doorknobs and ring bells? Did you tell the taxi driver not to touch your money because you have a cold? Did you not shake hands at the networking party?
I have a confession. I have had a cold and hugged friends and relatives. I haven’t heard a sick report because it wasn’t the nasty, drippy cold. Had it been, I would’ve stayed home.
There’s has to be a better way to protect people you care about without making them feel like you don’t care about them. I like air kisses myself and plenty of soap and water.
At the end of the dinner party, The Cold Lady gave each and everyone of us a big, hearty hug! So far, no cold reports.