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Do you like physical contact?
Yes 16%  16%  [ 10 ]
no 84%  84%  [ 52 ]
Total votes : 62

nebrets
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19 Apr 2012, 4:48 pm

I am uncomfortable with physical contact, like hugs, pats on the back, etc. But when people ask I have trouble clarifying why it is uncomfortable.

Do others have trouble with physical contact? And can anyone set out why they do or do not like it?


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snpeden
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19 Apr 2012, 4:55 pm

I don't enjoy unexpected hugs or touching from people, but if it's quick I can usually deal.
What I really can't stand is when someone is preventing my movement in any way. Whether it's my cat sitting on my lap or holding hands with someone. If any part of me is unable to move I get all tingly and uncomfortable and the rest of me starts flapping around like a fish. Especially if I hold hands with boyfriend and he falls asleep.



Rascal77s
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19 Apr 2012, 5:02 pm

I like physical contact with animals and certain objects. I also like some physical contact with some people but only when I expect it. If it's unexpected it causes instant anger. If the touch hostile or meant to get a reaction out of me it's instant rage. My bite is worse than my bark.



League_Girl
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19 Apr 2012, 5:06 pm

I only like it when I want it. I do not like touch when I don't want it or when it's unexpected. One of the reasons why I don't like it is because I feel trapped and invaded. I prefer to be left alone and be by myself. Sometimes it hurts too. But at least when I am being touched when I want it, I am in control.



Frankie_J
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19 Apr 2012, 5:08 pm

It depends for me. If it's given with my permission and I know it's coming, then fine. If it's out of nowhere without permission I won't like it. I think, for me, it's just that I love my personal space and privacy and when people violate that by assuming I'm a touchy-feely person I dislike it.

It amazes me that if someone you've just met wants to greet you by touching you in some way and if they notice you dislike it they think you're odd. For me it's so logical (depending on the person) to start off neutral with no touching with greeting or whenever, and then after time, if/when you know them better and are more comfortable, you may want to change that.



The_Postmaster
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19 Apr 2012, 5:16 pm

I am also uncomfortable with most forms of physical contact. However, I find that handshakes are a commonly expected greeting, farewell, and general function social tool. For this reason I wear gloves.
An example of my uncomfortableness with being touched could be seen a couple of weeks ago when someone randomly hugged me at school. Every muscle in my body immediately stiffened, and my face had an expression of shock/displeasure on it. I also have trouble explaining it to people.



monsterland
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19 Apr 2012, 5:39 pm

nebrets wrote:
I am uncomfortable with physical contact, like hugs, pats on the back, etc. But when people ask I have trouble clarifying why it is uncomfortable.

Do others have trouble with physical contact? And can anyone set out why they do or do not like it?


Most of my life, I used to have a big problem with disliking physical contact and I narrowed it down to two reasons:

1) in childhood, even a "friendly pat" was often a devious way for someone to end up making fun of me, or they would grab me and punch me

2) when it is genuine and has no ill intent, the physical contact signifies that you may be coming into closer interaction with the person, i.e. potential friendship, while some internal alarms are telling you that either:

a) you have some trouble managing friendship protocols in general
and/or
b) this person is not going to go beyond superficial, fair-weather friend
and/or
c) upon becoming closer, they can hurt you more in general



NTAndrew
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19 Apr 2012, 6:15 pm

I didn't think so until recently. If someone touches me very lightly, it really bothers me.

This one person did that to me. I wanted to DIE! Not just die, I wanted to die, be chopped up and then have my remains incinerated until only atoms remain.

Does that qualify as touch sensitivity?



lostgirl1986
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19 Apr 2012, 6:16 pm

No, I hate being touched. I don't like it when people invade my personal space bubble.



Map12
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19 Apr 2012, 6:40 pm

No I hate being touched. I feel unsafe when my personal space is invaded. I've gotten better at dealing with it but I still don't like it.


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SpongeBobRocksMao
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19 Apr 2012, 7:19 pm

I only like hugs or being touched when I want it. Otherwise, both can make me feel nervous and uncomfortable.


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FishStickNick
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19 Apr 2012, 7:55 pm

I don't mind it from family members so much, or maybe close friends. Hugs from people I don't know well are always awkward, but I manage.



Barefoot_Boy
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19 Apr 2012, 7:58 pm

I prefer to not be touched. If someone does touch me I hope it's not prolonged. Just a quick touch is all at the most.


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Notsurprised
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19 Apr 2012, 8:02 pm

I do not like being touched either. It sorta tinggles, really just do not like it.



Kinme
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19 Apr 2012, 8:05 pm

I wish there was "sometimes" in the poll, because I can tolerate it at times and do enjoy it.



falonsayswoah
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19 Apr 2012, 8:46 pm

League_Girl wrote:
I only like it when I want it. I do not like touch when I don't want it or when it's unexpected. One of the reasons why I don't like it is because I feel trapped and invaded.


I'm the same way. I'm not an affectionate person most of the time and I have a hard time initiating any contact unless it's with my younger sisters or mom. Sometimes I'm fine with people hugging and touching me (if I'm prepared for it), but other times it's just really uncomfortable. Other times I just do not want to be touched so I try to make that clear by standing further away from people or stepping back... Yeah.


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