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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The Slice

Occupations/Insanely firm handshakes

I used to live in a city that was the home base of a leading overnight shipping service.

And I met a lot of pilots. One thing I noticed about them was the fact that a seemingly high percentage had what I would call unnecessarily firm handshakes.

You know what I'm talking about. The kind of handshakes that feel more like an assault than a greeting. (Even if you yourself are quite capable of squeezing someone's hand robustly, you are at a competitive disadvantage when the other person catches you off guard with the vise-grip of doom.)

I don't recall associating other occupations with this habit, though surely pilots aren't the only ones who do this. (And I realize not all aviators do.)

I knew a sweet old guy who used to really pour it on when we met. But I always chalked up his firm grip to enthusiasm. He was a retired wheat farmer.

What has your experience been? Have you found any correlation between occupation and handshake vigor?



The Slice

The online home for Paul Turner's musings and interactions with disciples of The Slice.