weighed in the balance....

...and found wanting.

I've pretty much given up shaking peoples' hands - my right hand is often very sore, and anyway, if I know the person well enough, and they are comfortable with it, I'd rather hug.

However, yesterday, during the the laughter workshop we played a game which involved shaking the hand of other people in the workshop, whilst looking into their eyes - the game was designed to break down barriers and help people relax. So, I thought, rather than cop out, or attempt to explain to each person, I would simply shake hands.
It was great, plenty of warm friendly eye and hand contact - until, that is, the last person, a man who squeezed my hand so hard that I yelped in pain. He completely failed to notice, as he wasn't even looking at me.
Some men, and I think it nearly always is men, believe that the handshake gives a deep insight into character - and that to have a firm, aggressive handshake shows that you are a fine, manly man... brimful of spunk (of the virtuous sort), up for it, and certainly not a cissy.
I clearly failed that test ....