Southerners, including myself, are taught at an early age to have a firm handshake. And, when I say firm, I mean bone crunching firm handshake. I reckon that us guys are taught how to have a firm handshake, before we learn how to talk or walk. I had several people in Ireland comment on my handshake. I remember my dad and friends competing with each other, to see who had the strongest clutch. My dad usually won, and he’s a short fellow, about 5′ 6". If you ever come to the southern part of the United States, you best be ready.
The reason I bring this up, is because I was just eating at a friend of mines restaurant about an hour ago, and we shook hands. I came in the front door of the brasserie, and he came running to the register, and said, "How the heck are ya buddy".
We share a lot of commonalities, such as our forefathers being from Ireland. He threw his hand out over the register, and I grabbed it, and commenced to shaking, when all of a sudden he screamed and let go quickly. I had accidental slammed his hand down on the top of the register, which had a sharp leading edge. He ran around yelling, "Dammit, that hurt".
Anyhow, I said, "Are you all right? I sure am sorry about that. You know how us southerners are about the handshake."
"Not a problem buddy. If that is the worse thing to happen to me today, then I’ll be fine", he muttered, while clasping his hand.
Needless to say, his hand was OK after a few minutes, but I’m sure it was a painful experience. I didn’t mean to hurt the mans hand. Heck, the southern handshake could have been the real reason for the Civil War. Maybe at some point, Abraham Lincoln and The Original Jefferson Davis met, and Jefferson shook Abe’s hand in a friendly manner, and Abe took it as aggression. Of course, I’m only joking. Wars have started over more ridiculous circumstances. That is why I say beware of the Southern Handshake. 
Powered by FireStats