[gyjsdtuwr]

Just wanted to revive the original purpose of this thread again, to get some ideas as to what people usually say when declining to shake hands (it has quite categorically been established that it is impermissible and even if there is some disagreement, lets just try to keep that aside for now).

Here are some of the responses I have received to this question from various places:

Place your hand on across your chest and politely say any of the following:

i) I apologize, I cannot shake hands for religious reasons
ii) I apologize, I am not allowed to shake hands with women
iii) I apologize, I cannot shake hands with the opposite sex

If anyone has any other strategies please do share.

Finally, two questions:

a) How do you tackle a situation when you have an interview with one man and a woman and you shake the man's hand and decline to shake the woman's hand (from a brother's perspective)?

b) Is a polite nod of the head also considered to be bowing and therefore impermissible?

JazakAllahu Khairan