Body & Soul
How to Avoid Colds and Flu at the Meet and Greet
by Randi Reed
The Meet and Greet backstage is where a lot of artists on the road pick up
colds and flu. (The worst flu of my life came courtesy of a fan who informed me
of her 101 degree illness after shaking hands at a meet and greet.)
Many fans come to shows sick or not and cancellations are expensive for
everyone, so you need
strategies to avoid getting sick...especially if your band is traveling by
bus, where enclosed spaces can keep the whole touring party passing around
the same flu for months. Here's how to avoid
a post meet and greet flu meltdown:
1. You're more likely to get a bug from shaking hands than by kissing
someone, so use hand sanitizer before the event. Also keep a small bottle of
it or antibacterial hand lotion in your pocket, and one with the manager,
tour manager, or personal assistant who will be near you at the event. (More
on this in a minute.)
2. Lead singers are often more vulnerable to colds and flu than other band
members due to constant stress on the throat. Managers (or bodyguards, where
applicable) should take extra care to keep the lead singer away from fans
with colds or flu. (Easier than it sounds, since some of them gleefully
announce they "wouldn't miss it even though I'm sick.")
3. If it's a casual meet and greet backstage rather than an in-store
appearance behind a table, you can often politely avoid people with colds by
arranging a signal in advance to have your manager or security suddenly
"need a word with you."
4. Have a signal to let band and crew know a sick fan is in your midst.
(Come on, we know you have a signal when a cute girl is present. It's kinda like
that...only gross.)
5. Try not to kiss anyone. If they ask and you have a significant other, your
excuse can be "Out of respect I don't do that, but I'd love a hug..."
6. Try not to hug anyone unless they ask, then do so quickly, casually, and
friendly (a one-armed squeeze is great for this).
7. Develop quick slight of hand at using hand sanitizer when people aren't
looking; Some people may take it personally and be offended if they
see you using it. (In a foreign country, this could cause huge problems.
Can't you see the headlines? "Rock Star Uses Hand Sanitizer At Meet and
Greet, Says Fans are Dirty".)
If you're not good at using it unobtrusively
and lightening-quick, try antibacterial hand lotion instead; people who see
you using it will think you want to have nice hands, just for them. (Yes,
chicks like guys with nice hands. Calluses damage silk. 'Nuff said?)
8. If your schedule accommodates, eat before or after, but never during
a meet and greet.
9. At pre-show meet and greets where lots of people with colds are around,
managers and bodyguards can often get the lead singer out by using the
excuse, "He's gotta go warm up." After-show, the old "gotta get to the next
town" or "we have a long day tomorrow" excuses work well. If
there's an early morning radio interview or TV appearance the next day use
that as the excuse, and they'll tune in to the show.
10. Wash your hands thoroughly after the event is over. What's "thorough"?
Doctors recommend 20-30 seconds, or singing "Happy Birthday" in your head.
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