In praise of - shaking hands.

AGED 11, I found myself in a playground argument with a boy about nothing really, but he clearly took exception to something I'd said because the next thing I knew a bucket of puddle water was tossed over my head.

However, just as ignominy-fuelled anger was about to be unleashed, Uncle Alex (a student teacher at the time) arrived on the scene, commanded I desist from physical retribution and indeed shake hands with the dirty water thrower. A salutary moment in a young life.

Please enable cookies in your browser to display the rest of this article.