Good Breeding: A Steady Hand
A man’s handwriting says a lot about him, literally. Experts contend that how you put pen to paper can express fear, confidence, frustration, sociopathy etc. I have never put much store by graphology; mainly because I don’t want to know the local dry cleaner has the potential to murder me in cold blood when looking at my claim check.
What I am talking about is the look of a man’s handwriting. We have all seen a note that looks more like an EKG than the alphabet. Ask yourself, “do I want my sentimental jots to conjure up sweet nothings or indicate hypertension?”
If a man’s hand is sloppy the same can usually be said of the person. When letter writing was the preeminent method of communication, men took pride in their script. Writing was a skill of the privileged few, and it was taken seriously. Unfortunately it is rare to see refined penmanship in our typewritten world.
Perhaps this is an indication of a more casual society that doesn’t require love letters or frequent notes of regret to the hostesses of black tie balls. Yet, you never know when you may need to make an important pronouncement in written form, so it’s time to start minding your p’s and q’s.
Remember though, now as in eons gone by, a written letter is still a very personal gesture, so unless you know the recipient well, keep your hand to yourself.
Bootstrap
p.s.- I pen all of my posts into a leather bound ledger for posterity.
