Handshakes and haircuts

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To say our world as we know it has been rocked would be an understatement. Don’t you miss hearing conversations about how the Reds are doing this season, reading about how the bottom seed team came from behind and won March Madness, teachers talking about how the school year is going, even planning your summer vacation? We have experienced changes that will take a long time to recover, if ever.

As a small boy, I remember my dad explaining to me how to shake hands. He would say, “It’s always your right hand, you must always use a firm grip and look them straight in the eye.” I didn’t understand why I just knew how to do it. With plenty of time on my hands, it’s high time I found that answer.

The simple but often powerful handshake dates to the 4th century BC. It is a worldwide tradition and the origin is specific to each culture. Some believe it started as a gesture of peace by soldiers. An open hand would depict there were no weapons or evil intentions from either side. Today, a handshake can mean many things. We use it as a greeting, parting, congratulations and to express gratitude. The purpose is to convey trust, a form of respect, balance and equality. By nature, we all have a desire for touch and some form of closeness by others.

Just last week my wife, Mary Jean, went with me to a real estate closing. The sellers of the property have been clients of mine for several years. I knew them well and wanted her to meet them. By nature, the man reached out his hand to Mary Jean, and by nature, she returned the gesture. Almost immediately, they both realized with today’s events that option has been taken away from us. A simple greeting of 3,000 years old is no longer socially acceptable. Will it come back and be like before?

Haircuts are another socially accepted tradition that has also been put to a halt. Growing up, I don’t remember having a choice in my hairstyle. So, like most boys, I had a flat top. When the time came, my brother and I would go to the bottom of the Parker Hotel for our cuts and a new supply of Butch Wax. Everyone used it to make their hair stand up in the front. We also had those plastic combs, remember, the ones you put your middle finger through? With Butch Wax and the plastic comb, that little patch of hair in front would withstand about any hurricane.

I have always been one of those guys that other guys make fun of. I don’t see it myself, but some say I think way too much about my hair. As of today, it has been about 45 days since my last haircut. I am pretty sure if I would audition for a stand-in part for the next “Ace Ventura,” it would be hard for them not to give it to me.

I read the other day that very soon about 80 percent of all the blonde women will disappear. We will have to wait and see if that prediction rings true. To all the husbands and boyfriends reading, you just may find out what their natural hair color is. I asked my wife if both of us would soon know that answer. Her quick response was, as long and she can still buy it in the box, we will never know for sure.

In 2016, it was estimated that Americans, both men and women, spend on the average of $2.2 billion dollars for at-home hair dye. Yes, that’s $2.2 billion. This does not account for the amount spent at the hairdresser. It would be safe to say that hair dying will continue regardless of how long we will all be at home.

Heres’ a thought. Is the Tiger King guy’s hair still blonde? Some of you may not want to admit it, but you were wondering the same thing!

For those of you that ask what handshakes and hair dye have to do with real estate, I am asking myself the very same question.

The short answer is very easy. To quote the words of the famous James Brown: “Absolutely nothing.”

Randy Butler is a lifelong resident of Highland County and a licensed real estate agent for Classic Real Estate in Hillsboro.

Randy Butler Guest columnist
https://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2020/04/web1_Butler-Randy-new-mug-1.jpgRandy Butler Guest columnist

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