Barleywine
Hmm, maybe I better not let sitters handle my cards because then I'd have to shoot them before they abscond with all that precious mystical, magical energy! Seriously, though, I seem to be the only one who's responded so far who thinks that it's a normal part of the process. I see it as a means of "querent engagement." If they don't want to shuffle, that's OK too; I'll still ask them to cut. If they refuse to do even that much, I'll ask them to move along and find another reader. I see it as evidence of bad faith and shallow intentions if someone doesn't even want to touch the cards. As I said elsewhere, I'm not a "wisdom dispensing machine" that you put a quarter in and pull the lever to get your fortune.