As the title states, I’m a non-Muslim. I work in the legal field in the midwestern United States, and have noticed an increasing number of Muslim women in the field, both in administrative/clerical roles, as well as lawyers. As a result, I have a recurring problem: I will be introduced to a new employee, client, or coworker and I will extend my hand for a handshake as is customary in the field, only to be awkwardly rebuffed. To clarify, I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with this, I don’t want to feel like I’m putting someone on the spot. I worry that if I don’t at least extend my hand, I’m not being respectful, even if the person is going to refuse. If this is someone I don’t know, I don’t know how they will respond. Essentially, I’m asking for what the generally accepted way would be to confer the following information: “I am happy to meet you and I understand and respect your desire not to initiate physical contact with a man. Additionally, I do not wish to put you on the spot and make this situation awkward by assuming something about you that I don’t know, or by making you feel like you have to justify your faith.”
Obviously once I become better acquainted with the person the problem won’t be the same, so I’m going by first introductions here. If any women could chime in with how they would prefer the situation to be handled, that would be immensely helpful. Thank you.
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