My father always taught me that the sign of a man with character is a strong handshake. I’ve always found that true. A wimpy handshake, almost always, means a weak man is in front of you. My son, when shaking hands, could, if he wanted to, tear your hand off. He hates weak handshakes too. My brother has always a strong virile handshake. And most women, I find, have stronger handshakes than most men. I’m not surprised.
Radio personality Howard Stern, billionaire Donald Trump and game show host Howie Mandel don’t like shaking hands. I find that strange. They, it would seem, would rather not shake hands so as not to have to wash their hands. I have been shaking hands for many years – at times not washing afterwards – and gee golly wiz, I’m still here. If I was doing business with Trump, and he didn't shake my hand, I would go elsewhere.
When I’m in Mexico or Laredo, where there are (obviously) a lot of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, I like and appreciate the whole handshaking thing. I feel it’s what "real" men should do. It makes me feel more “connected” to whomever I’m talking to. Now in Italy, men kiss each cheek and in Saudi Arabia they hold hands. I’m not ready for that, but handshaking remains at the top of my list.
Photo credit is: http://www.midmarketmaven.com/2007/02/hand_shake_please.html
