I no longer trust beautiful handwriting simply because of its beauty. Like disciples of graphology, I once thought of it as one indication of a person’s personality, a beautiful soul spilling out in ink or graphite. But I’ve since met several cruel women with remarkable penmanship—graceful, flowing, elegant, and fancy — perfect for a 19th century manuscript, a wedding invitation, a special occasion font — and I know now that it is no indication whatsoever.
In a way I’m relieved to have my childish beliefs contradicted. Although I can rule out my former yardstick as a potential judge of character, it means I’m no longer out of the running as a good person. I only hope others realize it, because if monkeys were given pens and taught the alphabet, their results would probably resemble my sprawling, jumbled, inconsistent half-script. Last week, when my boss decoded a note I had left for another employee, she explained my messiness to her in a conspiratorial whisper: “She’s a writer”. I’d love to agree with her assessment, but I know it’s not the case. I’ve simply never been the kind to flounce, even in ink.
On occasion, I try to remake my handwriting, as if it will turn me into someone as elegant or as neat as the lines on the page, but if penmanship doesn’t reveal if a person is good or bad, it still must reveal some inherent details, because my writing style is as stubbornly connected to me as my freckles and weird little toes. Someday I may even find that obstinate constancy comforting.
Otherlisa, I so sympathize. So basically you were doomed from the first time you picked up one of those super-fat kid pencils.
Christina, I have the hardest time handwriting now, too! I’m slower at it, the writing’s worse, and my hands start to hurt. And they say typing is bad for you! And I have no doubt that you are not a bit cruel. Because if handwriting were any indication, those cruel women would have had really ugly writing to match their insides.
LOL, Ello!
I can’t write tons by hand any longer, either–just gripping the pen cramps my hand. I always wished I had lovely handwriting…
Sim and I went to a wedding in Maine last year, and the minister was recounting a funny story about the bride and groom during the homily. Apparently they had attended some of the required couples’ pre-marital counseling before the wedding, and were asked to go around the group and say something nice about their affianced. Everyone else said things like, “I love her smile,” or “He’s great with children,” or somesuch drivel. And then when it came around to our friend Charles, he announced jubilantly, “Meaghan has EXCELLENT penmanship.” I think she was mortified, but the whole congregation just roared.
*shrieking with laughter* at your name spelling!!! I was LIZZ for 7th and 8th grade – two z’s. I even had a library card with two z’s, and I thought that made it legal!
Joelysueburkhart, I’m so glad for typing. It seems like it levels the playing field a bit, doesn’t it?
Jemima, that was hilarious! I actually almost giggled, which would have been embarrassing in public. At least he found something unique to say. 😀
Liz, when I taught middle school, it was amazing how many of the girls–always the girls, never the boys–changed their names. They changed the spelling and/or the pronunciation. They shortened their names. They used their middle names instead. Whatever. Their names were almost never the same from the beginning of the school year to the end.
Again, so glad I’m not the only one.
My handwritting is absolutely deplorable! I can’t stand to look at it and reading shouldn’t even be considered possible. Ugh. I make up every excuse under the sun to type anything instead of handwrtting it.
But I have notebook envy!
I too thought that beautiful handwritting equaled beautiful soul. Or atleast a creative soul. But then I’ve also met some really horrible people with stunning penmanship so, yes, it seems the theory is flawed.
Good for me since creativity is necessary for most of my life ambitions. *laughs*
My penmanship has always been horrendous so when I was in the forth grade, and spotted an article that said those with high IQs tended to have sloppy handwriting because their brains worked faster than their hand, I cut the article out and took it to my teacher. She wasn’t amused that six weeks I got a D instead of my usual C in handwriting, but I insist she only did it because hers was flawless which must mean her brain worked really slow.
Hahaha! I can hardly remember how to print, let alone how to write in cursive… I’m all about the usiung a keyboard!
xox
The best I can manage is an illegible scrawl. Using a keyboard doesn’t help.
i’m gonna go all the way back to the blog…sorry chaps
i’m from india and in schools here good handwriting directly leads to good marks..i know unfair but nevertheless a fact…what’s happening is people begin to work hard on improvign their handwriting to up their success quotient…as a result,in my opinion, they tend to forge their natural brain to hand coordination…i guess this seems to be th e case with people who want to write artistically…they tend to disobey what comes naturally to them in order to achieve their means…
but as you say there must be certain traits which are suggestive of some quality…like ligature for that matter is suggestive of a knot in brain process…therefore the next time you decide whether a person’s a bitch or not i guess more than looking at the whole handwriting you should concentrate more on the little aspects of a person’s handwriting…