The Importance of a Good Handshake

“Look me in the eye,” the cowboy told him, still gripping his hand. Sheepishly, my son winced up at him. “Not like that. Like you mean business. With confidence.” My son tried. The cowboy was dissatisfied. “Let’s try that again,” he said to my boy, releasing his hand. Then he explained to my son the importance, in the world of men, to a firm handshake and a confident look in the eye. “You don’t want to squeeze so hard you hurt somebody,” he said, “but you don’t want them to think they can run all over you, either. The handshake is how you establish pecking order. It’s how you show respect. It’s important you get it right.”