Anecdote Quote by Weston Locher
““The first way not to shake hands is executed by receiving someone’s hand in yours and proceeding to squeeze it tightly, hurting the other party as if they were responsible for a past death in your family, or your adoption as a child.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: The Handshake, Weston Locher, 2015
A handshake can become a weapon when one squeezes too hard, projecting personal trauma onto another.
In simple terms: Aggressive greetings can hurt others.
Key Takeaway
Practice gentle, respectful greetings.
Themes
communication
violence
psychology
Mood
cautionary
critical
Type
ethical
social
When to use this quote
- business meetings
- social gatherings
- conflict resolution
- personal interactions
Key Concepts
boundaries
empathy
personal trauma
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you recognize when you’re over‑projecting pain?
- What alternatives to handshakes convey respect?
A Different Perspective
Not all handshakes are violent; intent matters.
![“[The cats] scamper in front of my legs, causing me to fall and face plant into whatever furniture is closest. They especially like to play this game when I’m carrying piping hot coffee.” quote by Weston Locher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/df9/weston-locher-51973_anecdote_the-cats-scamper-in-front-of-my-legs-cau_489229.jpg)
