Years ago, legendary South African jazz artiste Hugh Masekela stopped greeting people by hand.
Instead, the iconic musician does so by hugging people at will.
This act by the 77-year-old double Grammy Award winning trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer and singer has always remained a mystery to many people.
Some may have observed his “love” of hugs as unorthodox, but the celebrated legend has had his reasons in avoiding handshakes.
In an exclusive interview with Word Is, Hugh finally demystified the mystery saying that he found handshakes “very unhygienic”.
“I started hating handshakes when I became a professional artiste,” he said.
“While hanging around the backstage, I would see many people, especially fellow performers and event organisers, use the bathroom, come out, but not wash their hands.
“This really irked me. I think I developed some phobia and started avoiding shaking people’s hands.”
He adds that his wife also contributed to his peculiar behaviour.
Hugh says, “I also remember my wife discouraging me from handshakes.
“She also viewed it as unhygienic as well.”
Source: The-star.co.ke
