What your scrawl says

In today's digital world, I'm beginning to miss the feeling of picking up a pen - but even though I barely get the time to write, I have noticed that my handwriting has hardly changed over the years.

I'm a believer in graphology and agree with both Archana Bora and Neha Doshi - a person's penmanship does have a direct link to his or her personality (Secrets of your Handwriting, Revealed, July 10).
During my school days, my handwriting used to be extremely neat. I actually remember an incident wherein a neighbour asked me to prepare a letter that was to be submitted to a government office, requesting assistance for agricultural purposes. I prepared a formal letter, and it was submitted to the office the very next day. My neighbour actually came back later, and told my mother that the government officer was so surprised by the neatness of the writing that he actually asked if the letter was printed! That's how powerful your handwriting is - it can make a first impression, and make someone want to read a document even if they don't have to.
I always had a flair for neat writing, and even won a few handwriting competitions, growing up. Looking back, I can't help but wonder if this was because of my character hiding away in my scrawl.
However, all this came to an end after I finished studying. When I started working, more and more time was spent typing away on the keyboard and I hardly got the opportunity to pick up a pen.
In today's digital world, I'm beginning to miss the feeling of picking up a pen - but even though I barely get the time to write, I have noticed that my handwriting has hardly changed over the years.
With the influx of computers and mobile phones, it may be easy to forget how powerful your handwriting is. Computers and keypads are no doubt a godsend, but people should never neglect their handwriting, as it is a part of their identity. Thank you, wknd., for taking me back to my school days with this impressive article.
» The write way
The article Secrets of your Handwriting, Revealed was quite a satisfying read (July 10). As a child, my handwriting was very neat and systematic. But as I grew older, it deteriorated. I remember how my family and friends would find it unbelievable that my handwriting could be so messy, and often make comments about it. Despite that, I would always defend my writing style, telling others, "Just because my handwriting is messy, does not mean I am!"
The article reaffirmed my belief that handwriting is not quite as obvious as people think, as messy handwriting can actually point towards intelligence. The first thing I did after reading the article on Friday morning was to show it to all those who made those comments over the years. A person's handwriting truly is a remarkable thing, to disclose so much about one's personality!
Anne Joshy, via email
» Hairdresser & friend
We all know the famous saying, 'Your hair can make or break your look'. Well, a good haircut gives you much more than just a new look - it gives you a newfound confidence, too (My Hairdresser is my Shrink, July 10). The service industry is not always about the price or discounts, but the level of comfort, satisfaction and the overall atmosphere of the place.
The article highlights a very interesting point of how the mirror can create an illusion of distance between the hairdresser and the client. Speaking from experience, hairdressers are good listeners; they take an interest in your life and it is a win-win as their business flourishes and they build a good client base through good reviews and word-of-mouth. Of course, it also helps that people love to have a shoulder to lean on, or a person to talk to about their problems.
I am sure if hairdressers started sharing their stories, of people they've met or the bizarre lives of some of their clients, that would turn out to be very entertaining, indeed!  
Krishnan Vaidyanathan, via email
» Hanks all the way
I was so thrilled to see that the famous quotes in the magazine last week were from Tom Hanks (Closing Credits, July 10). [Side note: this last page is actually one of my favourites in every issue now; I start my reading from the back!] I've been a big fan of Hanks ever since I saw him in Forrest Gump. His 'just another Joe' looks and simple-but-spot-on dialogue delivery always got me. He had a ?way of making everything sound so much more profound.
I mean, sample this zinger from his character Joe in You've Got Mail: "The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat, etc. So people who don't know what the hell they're doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self: Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino." I can tell you, I've never been able to look at a Starbucks coffee in quite the same way again.
Colin Mathew, via email