Have you ever stood at a pedestrian crossing, pressed the button, waited patiently… and then pressed it again, just in case?

And why is it that someone always walks up behind you and presses the exact same button? Apparently, you weren't doing it properly.

But here's the real question: Do pedestrian crossing buttons actually do anything?

In this episode of Wait… Why Do We Do That?, Steve investigates one of life's most frustrating little mysteries.

Are those buttons genuinely controlling the traffic lights? Are some of them just there to make us feel better? And why does pressing the button repeatedly somehow seem like a perfectly reasonable thing to do?

We'll explore the history of pedestrian crossings, the technology behind traffic signals, the psychology of feeling in control, and the surprising reasons why some buttons work while others appear to do absolutely nothing.

Along the way, we'll discover why traffic engineers don't necessarily share our sense of urgency, why crossing buttons can serve important accessibility functions, and why a complete stranger pressing the button after you feels like a personal insult.

Because sometimes the strangest things aren't the big mysteries of life.

They're the little plastic buttons we press every day without knowing whether anyone is listening.

Because apparently, there's a reason for almost everything. Even if it isn't a particularly good one.

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Why do we shake hands?

It's something we do almost automatically. Meeting someone new? Shake hands. Closing a deal? Shake hands. Congratulations? Another handshake.

But have you ever stopped to wonder why we grab another person's hand and move it up and down?

Did the tradition really begin as a way to prove you weren't carrying a weapon? Why do we use our right hands? And who decided that a firm handshake was a sign of good character?

In this episode of Wait… Why Do We Do That?, Steve explores the surprising history of the handshake, from ancient Greece and Rome to the Quakers, modern business etiquette, and the rather awkward alternatives we adopted during the pandemic.

Along the way, we uncover some popular myths, explore the psychology behind this everyday ritual, and discover why something as simple as shaking hands can communicate trust, respect, and connection.

Plus, we'll tackle the important questions: How firm is too firm? How long should you hold on? And why does everyone seem to know someone who shakes hands like they're trying to crush a walnut?

Because apparently, there's a reason for almost everything. Even if it isn't a particularly good one.

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Why do we tap our glasses together before taking a drink? From ancient customs to modern celebrations, Steve explores the stories behind this familiar ritual, sorts plausible explanations from popular myths, and asks why we still do it today.

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