“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Regardless of any religious affiliation, the sentiment is the same in most world religions: treat others as you would like to be treated. This is often referred to as the “Golden Rule,” which ensures a balance of behavior in a community.

Several sayings have taken this one step farther, from not only treating each other well – to proactively helping one another.

In German, we say that “eine Hand waescht die andere,” or “one hand washes the other.” Imagine trying to wash your hands using only one hand. As I can attest to, having broken my wrist several months ago, it is not only difficult, but almost impossible to rinse soap off using only one hand! Only together can many goals be accomplished (insert any “team work” stories here). Using the analogy of hands in this idiom is an extension of the common greeting of shaking one another’s hands in Germany. This is true not just in a business environment, but for social greetings as well. The tradition dates back to the days of showing that your hands are empty, a practice common even in the “Wild West,” where proof of not holding a gun was required!

In English, we more commonly say that “I’ll scratch your back, you scratch mine.” This alone implies some trust in reciprocity, since (unless you are engaged in a hug), you cannot be scratching each others’ backs at the same time. Someone must make the first move, and trusts that at the right time, the subject of the back-scratching will return the favor. And for anyone who has tried to scratch a (physical) itch in the center of your back, you will know that some help is very much appreciated. The little wooden back-scratchers come in handy for the more literal interpretation, but not for any help in other ventures.

Here’s wishing you clean hands, few itches – and help with those you can’t scratch yourself.

*Birgit