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Sylvia Tooker in the Media:
How you cross your 't's' says something about you
by Melissa Martinez
© El Paso Times, March 5, 2001Careful how you cross your "t's" and dot your "i's." One tiny stroke might reveal more about you than your resume or singles ad.
Handwriting analysis tells the whole truth in black and white. It's becoming the investigative tool of choice for many employers and matchmakers.
"It is a form of body language, what some call brain-writing," said Sylvia Tooker, a handwriting analyst in Dallas. "There are some body expressions that only show up minutely in handwriting."
The loops, slant and writing size, among others, can tell hundreds of personality traits. The way a "t" is crossed can determine whether the person is stubborn, outgoing or introverted. The lowercase "t" can indicate up to 40 traits, Tooker said.
"You can determine just about anything," Tooker said. "In general, it reveals emotional expressiveness."
Knowing whether a person is sociable or works better alone is a useful tool whether looking for a good employee or suitable partner, said Miriam Wilson, who was a handwriting analyst in El Paso for 17 years. Wilson provided her expertise for the Texas Automobile Association and several car dealerships. She helped indicate traits consistent with good salesmanship.
"If a person has very round type writing, in the 'm's' and 'n's,' he or she is someone who is methodical or sets his or her own pace or does not like to be pushed or rushed," Wilson said. Therefore the harder that person is pushed, the slower he or she tends to get, Wilson said.
Nan Napier, owner of Tres Mariposas on the West Side, has used handwriting analysis as part of her hiring process for almost 20 years. She took the suggestion from her father, who used the tool in his insurance business. Along with the interview, references and experiences, the analysis helps gain further insight into the applicant's personality. The writing sample is part of the application. All applicants are told of the analysis and Napier later shares the feedback with them. "It's good feedback as far as how to supervise someone," Napier said. "It probably gets us to work with the employee more effectively and approach them in a way that works for them."
Napier tells the analyst what position the applicant is applying for. The feedback can indicate whether it's a suitable match or whether that person would be happier at different job, such as clerical work instead of sales.
Handwriting analysis does make the hiring process smoother. As any employer knows, hiring mistakes make employers long for an easier way, Napier said. It's not gospel, but her experience has proved it to be very accurate, she said.
Although handwriting is unique to each person, everyone has basic characteristics that show up in writing, Wilson said. The brain is hard-wired to project different attributes in writing. Each person's style is adopted between the ages of 9 and 11, when the person breaks away from what is taught in school, she said.
But it doesn't have to stay that way for life, Tooker said. If an analysis reveals an unfavorable trait, it can be changed through grapho-therapy, Tooker said. Forcibly changing certain strokes in your handwriting can eventually make it dominant in the personality, she said.
"You can create a new pathway in the brain," she said. "If you do it often enough, it can make that trait dominant."
Most analysts require at least a full-page sample on unlined paper. Printed writing does not reveal as much because it is primarily down-strokes. Printing indicates a barrier, a desire to not reveal too much. A signature isn't as revealing because it depicts what a person wants others to see.
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1. A wise guy
Personality summary: logical thinker, self-conscious, secretive, can be talkative when the mood strikes, practical goals, emotional reserve, stubborn, analytical skills, diplomatic.
What does it mean? Upright handwriting = logical decision maker. Sharp "v" at bottom of "m" or "n" (first run) = analytical skills. Small hook at beginning of t-bar (watch) = desire for knowledge. T-bar crossed in middle of stem (last spot) = practical goals, not a risk taker. Loop in the right side of "o" (second spot) = secretive to others. Last hump on "m" or "n" higher than previous humps (last run) = self-consciousness.
2. Strong & silent
Personality summary: Gathers information slowly and sequentially to get the big picture, creative thinker, seeks to please others, sensitive to criticism, wants to be in charge, secretive, practical goals, diplomatic, procrastinating, stubborn, emotionally reserved.
What does it mean? Loop in "t" = sensitive to criticism about ideas and beliefs (in first spot). T-bar crossed more on left than right (in first spot) = procrastination. Round humps on "m" or "n" (in second run) = cumulative, creative thinker. Split of braced "t" at bottom of stem (second spot) = stubborn. T-bar slanting downward (last spot) = dominant, desire to be in charge. Humps of "m" or "n" becoming shorter left to right (last run) = diplomacy.
3. Friendly & frank
Personality summary: Gets along with all types of people, perfectionist, wants things to run smoothly, analytical skills, sarcastic when irritated or frustrated, frank, practical goals, optimist, stubborn, self-conscious, selective listener, intuitive.
What does it mean? Upward slant in writing=optimistic. Closed "e" = selective listener (in See). T-bar (in first spot) with sharp point on right end = sarcastic. Split or braced "t" (in Watch) at bottom of stem = stubborn. Last hump on "m" or "n" (in last run) higher than previous humps = self-consciousness. T crossed in middle (in last spot) = practical goals.
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Resources:
On the Internet: www. myhandwriting.com. The site can refer you to handwriting experts of all kinds.
Sylvia Tooker: (972) 365-2218 or e-mail sylvia@beardata.com. She charges $50 per trait analysis and an additional $25 for couples. You can also book her for parties.
Melissa Martinez may be reached at mmartinez@elpasotimes.com.
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Sylvia Tooker, Certified Handwriting Analyst
sylvia@beardata.com
6757 Arapaho Rd., Suite 711, PMB 319 Dallas, TX 75248 Tel: 972-365-2218Fax: 801-761-4779
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