She still wants to shake hands

[struggle4progress]

I used to tutor her in arithmetic when she was ten

And I always offered to shake her hand at the end of those early sessions

But after the second or third session, I never even got a chance to offer -- because she would stick her outstretched hand within an inch of my nose at the end, with her arm straight and her face beaming

I thought it adorable, but I also found it hilarious: with some effort, I managed somehow to smile without laughing, lest I offend her

She's a somewhat different creature as a high schooler

Her mom dropped her off today; the girl came up to me and offered her hand; we shook, and as we walked into the library she told me what was giving her trouble in algebra

It went well. When done with algebra, we chatted a bit. She's turning fourteen

Then we walked back outside

When her mother drove up, she turned and offered her hand again to shake

[NYC_SKP]

1. How absolutely precious! And it will always be.

Funny how the significance of a handshake can become so great.

And how darling she mush have been at ten, LOL @ "within an inch of my nose".

I shake hands with everyone around the campus.

Your story reminded me of "Catherine", who always stops at my office to say hello.

Hands are shaken, she's the model of propriety and very nice.

:thumbsup:

:hi:

[struggle4progress]

4. Oh, she was really cute: bright-eyed, alert, friendly, without self-consciousness.

Then she got to twelve, and she discovered she was cute and started experimenting with attitude

I lectured her a bit six months or so ago: quiet, friendly, upbeat, but still a lecture -- "You're a smart kid, and you're really gonna have an easier time if you just keep on using your brains"

I'm sure she knew my warmth and concern were real, but maybe some of what I said hit home: she was ambivalent towards me for a while -- simultaneously sort of glad to see me when we'd run into each other and sort of not sure whether we could be friends

Anyway, today was very comfortable for both of us: she knew exactly what was giving her trouble, asked about it, picked stuff up in a snap

Next time, who knows how she'll feel? She's fourteen

[dimbear]

2. Handshaking has two different histories. The friendly one is lost in the mist of time.

The handshake to close a contract goes back to Mithraism.

[struggle4progress]

3. At ten, she liked shaking hands because she was a child, and it made her feel grown up.

Now she's more adult, and the handshake is more like a contract: she appreciates respect, and she's willing to show she'll take the responsibility to earn it