Reputation, it can be a harsh mistress
I grew up on the idea that a handshake meant something. A man is as good as his word. So, I was told that if a man told me something and then shook on it, I could believe him and that was as good as a contract. If that man could not fulfill his obligation, he would not cowardly shy away from it, but step up and tell me to my face that he was unable to hold his end of the bargain. He would then deal with any ramifications that might come of it. After all, things don't always go as planned. Working in the live performing arts makes you come to realize this in a very short order. Now, I understand that this isn't the old west, but I do know that there are still others out there who are raised with the same values. If a man (or woman) comes up to me with that approach, not knowing that I was raised with the same values, we can usually figure that out. Believe me, I have been fooled before and have been once again. Fortunately for me, since I was not the one going back on