The Art of a Handshake

Yesterday as my mom and I had a kid free, hit the rummage sales and mall day. I noticed something, an oddity, a flash from days gone by. It was several young men greeting each other with a handshake. My first thought was, these must be well raised boys, what a respectful way to greet each other.
Then I thought of how few times I see things such as this. These days a greeting I most see is a twist of the hat, grab of their person and sometimes followed by a semi-hug. Now there was a time when a semi-hug seemed more, well, personable, and it may still be. Then I also see the hand bump, you've seen it. They bump fits, do a little jig and again the semi-hug. Now that I think about it, it's more like a chest bump with an arm thrown in there. Is it? Of course there is the nice to meet you handshake, that one my man has down pat. His arms are in his pockets, I introduce him to so and so, then he extends his hand toward so and so. Shake and move on.
Right now I am trying to think of how I will teach my son the art of a handshake. The kind of covenant of it. Once upon a time, a handshake was your signature in an agreement, no need for lawyers, if you didn't stick to it, your name would be tossed around in a sort of stoning. You wouldn't ever be trusted and you had just better get out of town.
Also a handshake was a sign of respect, young men approached older men with a handshake.
Especially when seeking advice or wisdom. Like saying I am extending myself to you in hopes of your extending yourself and gained knowledge to me.
A firm handshake meant strength in character, a stand up guy. Even for a woman, it shows confidence and commands a certain respect. In contrast, a person with a dead fish shake seems timid, sneaky, and as if there is something else going on here.
As I write this I have decided that the art of a handshake all boils down to trustworthiness. If a man is trustworthy, he will shake hands with others in an appropriate manner, he will not be overbearing or inject pain, nor will he be flop in your hand, or be timid. A woman's character can be assessed also. She will smile and look you in the eyes, with respect not seduction. She will be of firm character such as her handshake.
I realize I how often my character assessments are based on a handshake. Now thanks to the four young men I saw greeting each other, I will start, even now, teaching my children the "Art of a Handshake".