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The Handshake : BCT XVII

Good morning lovely people!

 It's time to share a gem from the trenches—a tale of congratulations, handshakes, and a pregnant pause that left me questioning my Englishness. Picture this: a typical shift, the fluorescent lights humming, and excitement buzzing in the air, when suddenly, baby news dropped like confetti on a weekend.

In the midst of the hustle, a staff member, realized she was expecting. Cue the joyous congratulations from colleagues, including yours truly. Now, I happened to overhear the baby banter and, like any good boot camper, joined the congratulations chorus.



In the spirit of camaraderie, I strolled over to offer my hearty congratulations to the new mum. With a big grin, I extended my hand for a good ol' handshake. But wait for it—the unexpected twist came when she shot me a look that could rival a cat caught mid-sneak attack, ignored the outstretched hand, and thanked me with a nod before darting off.

Well, slap my knee and call me befuddled! There I stood, hand suspended in mid-air, feeling like the punchline of a cosmic joke. What did I do to deserve such a cold shoulder, or in this case, a lukewarm nod?

In a state of mild confusion, I chalked it up to the possibility that she might've deemed me not 'English' enough for a handshake.  Oh, the mysteries of cultural nuances!

Feeling a bit out of the loop, I decided to consult my girlfriends who are a bit more English than yours truly. With a laugh that could rival a hyena's, she enlightened me on the unwritten rules of English etiquette. Apparently, in the land of tea and crumpets, the preferred method of expressing joyous news is either a verbal declaration or a hearty hug. A handshake, my dear friends, was as alien as an English summer without rain.

It dawned on me—I had unwittingly violated the sacred code of English congrats. No wonder she looked at me like I had offered her a handshake with a wet fish! Lesson learned: when in doubt, stick to the classic English trio of tea, hugs, and hearty words.

So, here's to boot camp wisdom—never judge a handshake by its cover, and always be mindful of cultural quirks. Honey, if you ever stumble upon this, I hope you know my handshake was just a misguided attempt at celebrating your news. In the grand boot camp scheme of things, it's just another feather in the cap of comical misadventures. Onward we march, one handshake hiccup at a time! 🤝😄

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