Fred: Thanks for renewing fond memories of my small town in upper New York State. There were no contracts except for heavy stuff like real estate purchases and mortgages. Day-to-day transactions were always oral plus the handshake. Unfortunately, too many of us miss stories like yours because we live in or near cities. Thanks for sharing, with the hope that there are many list members enjoying your message. Ken Everard --------------------- >> Claire: During my childhood days, a handshake was considered a "done >> deal" in my rural setting. Thanks for reminding of this tradition >> that has died. Today the handshake is with a lawyer plus a check. Oh, >> to where has integrity fled? >I dissagree that such things as a word of honor or a handshake >don't exist any more. One only needs to go to small town America >or Mid-America (call it Bush country) where such customs are still in >use. > >Last year I ordered a motorcoach (close to a half a mill) on a >handshake in Carthage, MO. When I questioned the owner how he >can do that, he said that if I can trust him with such a large >purchase, how can he not trust me. It made me feel proud to be >dealing with him. > >In addition, my company does a lot of business in PA Dutch country >in Pa. We don't need contracts there. To ask for a signature >questions the honor of the buyer so we just give them the >paperwork under the excuse that we all know what's happening. >Never had a problem in over 30 years there. > >I suspect lots of business all over the country is done on a >handshake. It's how small business operates. > >Personally I have always trusted everyone to follow through on what >they say. In every transaction there are always two parties of >interest and if I exprect you to trust me, how can I not expect the >same of you. It's worked pretty well for me. >PS A long, long time ago back in the late 50s or early 60s I was >very impressed when my dad (a 1952 immigrant who could hardly >speak any English) was buying his first car. I was with him and my >father didn't know if he should buy this or that so the salesman told >him to just take the car home with him and try it out over the >weekend. He never asked for one bit of identification and he just let >us drive off with the car. Naturally we came back to buy it - cash - it >was a Plymouth Valiant. One never forgets such things.