Now this is the kind of research we are happy to hear: fist bumps are not only way cooler than a handshake, but they are more hygienic and spread less germs! No more shaking hands for us after reading this…

We are pretty certain that most of you will have heard of the importance of a good, strong handshake when greeting a new person be it a business partner or a new friend. Turns out that the stronger and longer the handshake, the more germs are transferred between hands and hence, the more gross the greeting actually is.

You may be thinking that you always wash your hands and are pedantic about sanitising the surfaces your hands touch the most, like your keyboard or phone screen, but the reality is not everyone is as pedantic as you and germs are particularly good at breeding on our warm, slightly moist hands.

If you think about it, the fist bump is really the best way to greet someone you don’t know. No chance of holding on too long or too short, it doesn’t matter how sweaty your palms are from nerves at an interview, and most importantly: it instantly boosts your street cred by… oh like a million points?

That’s right.

So next time someone hold’s out their hand to shake yours, stick out your fist for a bump instead. You will be at the forefront of science and coolness simultaneously.

Coming soon to a medschool near you: fist bumping 101.

Check out more on the science behind this awesome fact at The Los Angeles Times.