Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Shake It, People!

A handshake is supposed to mean something.

The simple gesture of grasping hands and making a brief up and down movement is multi-layered and can be quite significant. Whether it is used as a greeting or parting gesture, to give congratulations or encouragement, or to form an agreement, there is meaning in this gesture that goes beyond a mere formality.

A handshake is used to show trust, respect, and equality.  It is also used as a sort of promise, that by the giving of this handshake a person is giving his or her word. It is an honorable and a noble thing. Unless, of course, it is given by a politician during campaign season, in which case it is nothing more than a photo-op or a money grab. But let's stick with the real, pure, noble handshake that happens between real people.

Or, at least, the ones that used to happen. Have you noticed that the use of the handshake has diminished over the years? I wonder why that is. I suppose that politicians and unscrupulous business professionals have weakened the handshake's appeal and integrity a bit. And the fist bump has taken its place in casual situations. I guess we have just come to view the handshake as more of an empty ritual than a way to connect with our fellow human beings.

Well, not me. I still believe that if a person shakes on a deal, then that deal is good. I mean, sure, I'll get it in writing-I'm not stupid-but the handshake puts a personal seal on it all. I know that in my own business dealings a handshake makes people feel better about the transaction and both people feel better afterwards. I have seen this first hand. So to speak.

I also feel that the handshake upon first meeting someone puts you on equal ground psychologically. I believe that I can use it to show respect towards another. That one small touch and a look in the eye conveys quite a bit about your character and honesty, and it shows that you care about the other person and the situation you are both in. It is a simple yet powerful human connection that we seem to be losing in this modern world.

It's hard to communicate these days. It seems that we are all so divided by so many different things from our politics to our religion, race, and creed. Everyone is so convinced they are right about everything and ready to shut down the opposition before there is even a chance for debate. I am just as guilty as anyone else in this. We all see our world getting crazier by the day and it seems that there's nothing we can do to make it better.

But there is something we can do, Something small, but meaningful. Shake a hand. That's it. Just shake a hand. Okay, so it won't solve any problems, but it can provide a quick connection and a level playing field, at least as a start. And that's what we need. A place to start.

So I'm doing it. I'm starting. I am going to make a conscious effort that whenever the situation is appropriate and it is applicable I am going to shake every hand. Who knows? It might just do a little bit of good and right now we need all the good we can get.

There you have it. That's my new initiative. "Shake Every Hand." Wanna join me? Cool. Let's shake on it.