Handshake

I have fallen victim of the handshake that I disdain. We often take for granted what is conveyed in this simplest of tasks. There are many types of handshakes, from the polyphasic shakes, the thumb hold shake used with the bro-hug, the slap and fist-bump, secret handshakes and the classic handshake. Situationally, one usually flows from shake to shake with little thought or consequence. One can usually be forgiven for a shake error, but the simplest of shakes can expose your weaknesses. With the classic, standard handshake, it is an unwritten rule (until now, because I'm writing it) that the web spaces must make contact. When they do not, you are usually left holding a limp, clammy set of four creepy fingers. These fingers bring judgement and ridicule. This is why I was filled with self-loathing and disgust a couple of weeks ago when I accidentally broke my own rule. The four fingers being squeezed were attached to my empty palm, being shook by a superior grip. I'm not sure how it happened, but he could probably see it in my face. I wanted a redo, but you don't get a second chance. I wanted to find another hand to shake, to wash the self-loathing away. Nobody apologizes for a weak handshake. To apologize is to acknowledge that it happened. The best you can hope for is that nobody else noticed. I've ratted myself out. I've admitted a weak shake. Believe me, it will be a long time before it happens again.