I actually had a probl m with this. A man came to the settlement table, reached across the table, shook my hand and I went to my knees with tears. I looked across and said "you must lift weights". When he looked at me, I said " hopefully I won't have to send you my Drs bill". When he said what, I told not everyone can handle that hand sake. He sat down and that was that. My recommendation to you is, when someone sticks their hand out, just tell them you have a medical condition and you would prefer not to shake hands. That will end that.

I just say I'm sorry I can't shake hands because I have arthritis in them.

I also fist bump!! It's only at Church that I am faced with the hand shaking task!! I put icy hot on & politely let my members know I'm sick & it hurts! Letting others know just benefits you🤗

Start a new trend! Really! A lot of people in my old line of work started touching elbows! It helps keep infection from spreading and there are loads of good reasons since you have RA. Contact your Human Resources department and make this recommendation. You can even make some posters to put up in your break room (or wherever you keep your coats, microwave). Let HR know it is an initiative to keep sickness down - reduction of unscheduled absences due to being sick will save company money not to mention what it will save Health Insurance companies. Actually this is a really good idea!!!