How Good is Your Word?

Years ago business was completed with a handshake and a promise for an exchange of goods. If a man gave you his word, that was as good as gold, as good as money in the bank. Does the same hold true today?  Evidence from this popular scene suggests otherwise.

Nowadays, a business deal ends with a twenty page contract, meticulously combed over by lawyers hired by both parties. There are signatures and initials and clauses. There is enough legal jargon to confuse a judge.

Is all the hoopla necessary? Unfortunately in this day and age, most believe it is. There is so much greed and dishonesty in the world, many have learned from experience not to take someone’s word at face value. What about oaths and vows? Many people find these declarations even more unbelievable than someone’s word.    How many times have we seen someone swear an oath on a bible while entering a courtroom, then proceeds to lie? Or, watched a politician swear an oath of office, and then betray our trust? It is no wonder that people are skeptical.  These people often receive pardons for their acts anyways.

How about vows? Some of the most common vows broken these days are marriage vows. With divorce rates sky rocketing, people should replace diamond rings with rings made of wood, as vows are getting harder and harder to believe and relationships seem to rot faster than ever.

What about promises? The word promise tends to be a lighter weight word of commitment. I think more people are likely to believe a promise. Not to discount the heftiness a promise can entail. A promise can be just as legally binding as a vow or oath.

I think anyone entering into any kind of business dealing is smart to get all of the terms of their endeavor in writing. This is a tangible bind which holds both parties to the terms of their promise. It ensures that if one of them should fail to follow through on their part, the other will not be negatively impacted.

I am sure back in the day before contracts and corporate lawyers, there were people who were still getting stiffed on deals. Not every man’s word was good. But, I have a sneaking suspicion those matters were handled in a different way than they are now. With the shafted party being his own judge and jury, I am sure those poor chaps suffered a much stiffer penalty than a lawsuit.