Q: Tell me again about the MacArthur handshake
SIMMONS: MacArthur had a wonderful way of meeting important guests or visitors,
whether we're talking about Australia in World War II, or Tokyo at the time of
the Korean War. He'd prepare himself for the visitor. He'd have a few details
from the person's personal life, and then when this great person would arrive,
the Secretary so-and-so, or General so-and-so, MacArthur would arise from his
desk, meeting the individual as he came in through the door, extend his left
hand, place it on his shoulder or the upper arm of the person, seize his right
hand in a firm handshake, look at the person square in the eye, and say, "It's
so good to see you, Mr. Secretary," or "Mr. Ambassador," as the case might be,
"and how is Emma, and how are the children?" And there'd be a few words of
chit-chat. The person would be turned around, leave in a glow of MacArthur
charm, and it wouldn't be until he got outside the door that he realized he
hadn't quite gotten to the subject he wanted to discuss with MacArthur.
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