Yeah, I'm like most, I like firm touch and only by someone I feel comfortable with. If I'm feeling very tense, even a firm touch can set me off if it's unexpected. And my kids, though they are certainly among those I like to hug, have really come close to getting smacked when they jump at me or grab at me. My son in particular has gotten grumped at for kissing me on the arm, which really bothers me for some reason. And last night I stopped ni'night kisses because he thought it was funny to lick me when he was supposed to kiss my cheek (he had been warned). That's an extreme case, I guess.
They're very huggy at my church, the women all hug, the men all shake your hand. This is supposed to be a good thing. When I sit back and look at it, it seems like a great thing, look at these friendly people, if a new person were to come here to attend church, how welcome they would feel, isn't it a good atmosphere... And I, content to continue attending, would rather they just keep their sweaty paws off me. And hugging another woman just weirds me out in the worst way. I hug one adult only, one. And he does not have breasts. Sorry, but there it is.
The sad truth is that I'd rather get to know people before getting personal, and yet most people seem to have gone over to the opposite method... I say touch is a privilege we each may extend one another at will, not a door anyone may open when it suits them.
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"Pack up my head, I'm goin' to Paris!" - P.W.
The world loves diversity... as long as it's pretty, makes them look smart and doesn't put them out in any way.
There's the road, and the road less traveled, and then there's MY road.