The Handshake…

Ahhhhhh, the handshake. It’s taken for granted. A lot can be said from it. The limp fish, the firm grasp, the shaker, the over shaker, the holder, the jive-er, and last but not least the almost high five yet sideways slap the hand together and shake once then release handshake.

I like that one the best… the almost high five yet sideways slap the hand together and shake once then release handshake I mean. It says “hey, I haven’t seen you in a while… how the heck are ya!”. But it has to be just right. You have to meet with the arm extended out just right. If it isn’t right, the hand webs might not meet and the fleshy part of the palms might not slap together like a thunder clap. Woe to them whose thumbs collide as they slap hands, or if one person’s thumb slaps into the web. Then, shake once, release… What a great feeling when it all goes down the right way. When you get it right, it really says to your friend “hey I have missed you and I’m am super happy to see you again!”. If it doesn’t go down right, a feeling comes over you like you just noticed your friend forgot to shave half his face, but don’t want to say anything because no one else has. That’s just awful.

Sometimes you might anticipate the motion too much. Just the other day I found myself approaching with reserve, picking out the spot in the air where the hands would make contact, turning my body in such a manner that the timing was just right. I reached back, opened my hand, then KA-SLAP!!! Perfection… shake once… done.

Ahhhhh, it’s all in the handshake.