That said, I think the practise of using graphology in job interviews is a legal case waiting to happen. In fact I’m surprised the article didn’t mention one. I can’t imagine someone rejected based on a graphology profile just accepting that. Especially in the US where legal suits are much more common than here in Europe.

One of the problems with calling handwriting analysis a “science” is that there are many books written on the subject, some of which contradict the other. This is like having three or four “official” books on anatomy, where parts of the body are not always located in the same place. I think you can see the kind of trouble that this would cause. In addition, there is no accountability, no minimum requirement to become a handwriting analyst. Many people acquire their “expert” status via an online course, after reviewing only a handful of handwriting samples. Unlike, well….pharmacists, they have no licensing board to determine their level of competency.

The very best handwriting analysts have spent years studying handwriting. This by itself makes them experts, as they can quickly see the subtle and not-so-subtle differences in two samples that might look identical to a person not “trained” to look for these types of things. But there is something else that the “expert” possesses; and this goes with every profession: (surgeons, police detectives, etc) As one acquires experience they begin to access their intuition and “discover” things that are beyond what is written on that piece of paper. They have a gut hunch and they include this in their analysis. This puts them on an entirely different level from those knowing little or nothing about handwriting. It is also where the ego of the handwriting examiner comes into play. Using the example about Bill Gates, it is easy to understand why the handwriting “expert” made such a gaff. His ego got the better of him. He didn’t step back and rely on his sixth sense to guide him. Without that, this whole handwriting analysis schtick is just a parlor game; sometimes correct, sometimes completely off-target. And yes, I’ve personally watched someone make an ass out of himself after he incorrectly summed up someone in front of a group of handwriting “experts”, describing the person (she wasn’t present) as a vicious bitch. After he left, I couldn’t resist giving my own analysis, which was confirmed as accurate by those who actually knew her. This gave me a lot of concern regarding those who practice handwriting analysis but rely more on their EGO to “solve the case”, rather than the fundamentals. And every “profession” has core teachings, to be violated at one’s own peril.

Why do people continue to find handwriting analysis interesting, even in the face of all you doubters telling them it’s a bunch of bulls*it? Because everyone wants to be entertained and maybe get some insight into what makes them tick. It’s FUN to watch the reaction of someone after I look at their handwriting sample and make statements about their personality. They feel good. (Unless I were to do something stupid, like phrase the analysis in a cruel way). It’s fairly easy to be right about general things; not so easy to describe their entire persona, especially if it’s a handwriting sample of just a few words.

The fact that some of you criticize handwriting analysis and those who practice it says something about you and your attitude. Where is this hate coming from? My guess is that you believe that there might just be the possibility that you have been deceived by a worldwide conspiracy and you want to toss in your opinion to warn off everyone less vigilant than you.

Whether or not handwriting analysis is the real deal or just another attempt to make money off unsuspecting people, it’s here to stay. And until someone regulates the practice, you are going to hear more stories (because you’ll be searching for them, I’m sure) where some handwriting expert f*cked up in front of EVERYBODY. It will become brutally apparent that he or she is no more capable of analyzing handwriting than the person who wants to perform brain surgery but doesn’t have the training. They will both suck at it.

Finally, because there is no formal training for opinion givers, I won’t say that your opinion sucks just because some of you believe that NOTHING about handwriting analysis is legitimate. Clearly, handwriting analysis is going to get close scrutiny when it’s practiced poorly. So too will an opinion when it’s given in such a way as to attack something or someone. You wouldn’t take your dog to the butcher to have its toenails shortened, and I wouldn’t go to you if I wanted an informed opinion about handwriting analysis.

As do psychics, numerologists, dowsers etc. They even still use lie detectors in the States (no, it’s not just on the telly). It’s pathetic.

Keep in mind that many of these “professionals” consult for police departments (behavioral profiling) as well as consulting for corporate personnel departments and employment agencies.

Whether or not one can analyze handwriting, one can certainly improve it — and I’d hate to have to tell you what the handwriting analysts think of THAT! Ask me privately, some day … but first, visit Handwriting Repair at http://learn.to/handwrite

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