I had to choose between a handshake and a hug at my niece's school play.

My sister's ex-husband, who I hadn't seen in five years, was there. We made eye contact from across the lobby after the show. I panicked and went for the hug, but he clearly went for the handshake, so we did this awful half-pat on the back thing. My sister just watched from the car the whole time. Anyone else get the greeting wrong with someone you should probably know how to greet?

2 comments

2 Comments

hugomurray1d ago

Totally get it. Met my old boss at the grocery store and we both went for different cheek kisses. Ended up basically headbutting by the avocados. That weird half hug you described is the official language of "we have history but it's fine now," right?

juliashah1d ago

Actually, that awkward half hug is the perfect greeting for an ex brother in law. It honestly shows you both tried to meet in the middle, which is more than a lot of people get. The fact you even attempted contact after five years means the relationship isn't totally broken. Your sister watching from the car just proves it was the right level of awkward, not hostile.