Don’t Try Shaking Richard Branson’s Hand If You Ever Meet Him…

High five to you, sir!  Richard Branson, one of the world's most famous entrepreneurs, has proven once again that he is a down-to-earth kind of guy. The "tie-loathing adventurer and thrill seeker, who believes in turning ideas into reality" has admitted that he prefers to keep things informal as possible, particularly when it comes to greetings. Over on his website, the Virgin CEO explained why he prefers a 'high five or a fist bump' over the traditional handshake. "I still shake hands with plenty of people, but whenever possible I prefer a high five or a fist bump," he said. "For some reason, it has become common practice to believe a firm handshake constitutes strong will, or even manliness. As a result, I often end up getting my fingers crushed by overzealous handshakers!" Branson, who cited a study from the American Journal of Infection Control that revealed fist bumps are five times more hygienic than handshakes, added that he 'switched' greetings up after shaking hands with several thousand people at a Virgin London Marathon. "After a few thousand runners, I decided to switch up to a high five or a fist bump". Adding: "Since then, I’ve pretty much carried on that way. It’s less formal, more fun, and seems to put a smile on people’s faces." This one's for you, Richard...