Swiss authorities overule teacher handshake ban

USA Today reports:

Educational authorities in Switzerland ruled Wednesday that the parents or guardians of students who refuse to shake a teacher's hand — a Swiss tradition — can be fined up to $5,000.

The decision comes after a school in the northern town of Therwil, near Basel, agreed last month to allow two teenage Muslim boys to refuse to shake hands with their female teachers on religious grounds. The school also decided the boys would not shake hands with male teachers to avoid discrimination.

The incident sparked a national debate — Swiss students often shake their teachers’ hands at the beginning and end of the day.

If you don't like Swiss customs, you can always go to a Muslim country.