Don't ...touch...me. Options

[HakunaMatata]

Do you think that your society has become too impersonal and too afraid of human contact?

Por ejemplo, in some countries, it's perfectly fine for best girl friends to kiss each other on the cheek when greeting each other, but dare you do that in America, there's fear of accusations of being a lesbian (not that that's a bad thing, but some people do see it that way). And stemming from the Free Hugs campaign (which, from the first time I saw it I was totally enamored with)ugging strangers has become revolutionary because hugging was become kind of weird. Strangers don't want to look at each other, much less smile.

[*salcha4u*]

I'm guessing because of our various ethnicities and self customs.

[littleswallow]

I'm not really sure, cause where I live, yes, it is perfectly normal to kiss your best girl friends' cheeks (we call it 'beso beso'), and hold hands and hug each other. And it is also normal to just smile at someone you don't know, and at times, just start a conversation with them like you've been friends since forever.

But I think I'll agree with salcha4u's answer.

[Stefanny]

I dunno, people are too scared of like cheek kissing and stuff.
I hug everybody I meet (that I've just been intro'd to or that I know), I think it's healthy to express your care for others.

[demolished]

Girls are so much friendlier, tolerant, and sociable than guys. Guys are complete-ignorant while girls are willing.

well yeah, i'm a bit ignorant type of dude..

YOU GO GIRLS !

[jaeman]

It's that traditional "don't talk to strangers" lecture we get that molds people in that way.

[*I Shot JFK*]

Do you think that your society has become too impersonal and too afraid of human contact?

Por ejemplo, in some countries, it's perfectly fine for best girl friends to kiss each other on the cheek when greeting each other, but dare you do that in America, there's fear of accusations of being a lesbian (not that that's a bad thing, but some people do see it that way). And stemming from the Free Hugs campaign (which, from the first time I saw it I was totally enamored with)ugging strangers has become revolutionary because hugging was become kind of weird. Strangers don't want to look at each other, much less smile.

I loved it in Italy, where people were hugging/kissing in the streets as greetings... it was so NICE. just friendly, you know?

I hug people all the time... it's actualyl really not unusual in my school... hmm.

[datass]

I used to be hated cuz I refuse to hug others.

But now I'm okay
Except I still don't hug or kiss my family..it's awkward for me.

[*Libertie*]

You know, I'm actually rather affectionate with my closer female friends, and I will occasionally hug a guy friend, but I am pretty greedy with my personal space when it comes to people I don't know very well. My family is very 'touchy', as well - just tonight my brother (11 months younger than me) gave me a hug for buying him new clothes, and my youngest brother (11 years old) always gives me a hug if he's going to a friend's house for the night.

It's just that with people I'm not close to - acquaintances at school/work, etc. - I get uncomfortable if they get too close. I remember once at a band competition some random girl from another school was dragging me around by the arm and I thought I was gonna die. XD

Also, when I was taking public transport in Tulsa, I always tried to get a seat by myself. It was always very awkward for me if a stranger sat next to me.

[*Duchess of Dork*]

I loved the hugging campaign.

I used to be a hugger and I always kissed people on the cheek. Now that I'm older, it seems taboo for some reason. You'd think it would be the opposite, but now I feel like a freak Mrs. Robinson. Although, what's strange is that here I'm way old, but in real life I'm typically the youngest in a group.

Oh also, something I've noticed is that when I gained all my weight - (girls - careful about what birth control you use and getting too cocky about not having to do cardio anymore because you're 'thin' enough because when you get older, you're metabolism slows way the hell down) - I didn't feel like being as affectionate with people. Perhaps another reason why we are less apt to hug and what not has a little to do with insecurity?

[misoshiru]

Really? I think Western culture is much more open in terms of hugging, kissing and such compared to Asian culture. Almost everyone I know who grew up in Western culture hugs each other or kisses each other on the cheek when they meet (not so much for guys), but when it comes to Asian culture, per esempio, with my parents, there's rarely any touching involved.

[*mishyerr*]

I'm not sure if this is cultural or anything, but I HATEEEEE it when strangers accidentily bump into me or touch me. It's SOOO disgusting. I shudder everytime someone in the hallway at school bumps into me. x_X And I'm not very touchy with my family either.

[*Monochrome.*]

I loved the hugging campaign.

I used to be a hugger and I always kissed people on the cheek. Now that I'm older, it seems taboo for some reason. You'd think it would be the opposite, but now I feel like a freak Mrs. Robinson. Although, what's strange is that here I'm way old, but in real life I'm typically the youngest in a group.

Oh also, something I've noticed is that when I gained all my weight - (girls - careful about what birth control you use and getting too cocky about not having to do cardio anymore because you're 'thin' enough because when you get older, you're metabolism slows way the hell down) - I didn't feel like being as affectionate with people. Perhaps another reason why we are less apt to hug and what not has a little to do with insecurity?

(*Throws birth control pills out the window....pulls out tredmill *)

I dont like to hug people other than my family and Boyfriend because i do feel a bit akward and insecure about hugging someone...

[priyas]

I love hugs. Yet, I only like hugging my family or my friends. I refuse to hug people who I have never seen before.

[Jeng]

Well at my town/school, once you see a girl kiss, rumors fly, even if it's onthe cheek. lyke omg. Diff countries are different.

[tokyo-rose]

I used to be hated cuz I refuse to hug others.

But now I'm okay
Except I still don't hug or kiss my family..it's awkward for me.

I used to not hug anyone up till I was in fifth grade and only started hugging [select] people in sixth.
Didn't hug many people in seventh and eighth grade... Then ninth grade was completely different. I started hugging my friends, both guys and girls, a lot more often. Now I hug people almost every day.

Like Julia, I don't hug or kiss my family members much either. I don't remember the last time I did so for my mom or brother. I hug my older cousin occasionally when he comes over.

[*My Cinderella.*]

I'm a very affectionate person, so I make sure my atmosphere isn't anti-social.

[*Intercourse.*]

Hmm its not like that at all here, everyone hugs everyone usually. I don't really hug people unless I know you or feel comfortable enough to hug you. I've never been that much of a touchy person

[Blaqheartedstar]

i agree with the whole hygiene problem but many don't even hug friends or feel weird hugging family... like i...
i not fond of the whole touchy thing not cuz i'm afraid of being called something else, its just it feels weird... with just about every one...

as for atmosphere... i tend to keep a mean face... most of the time i don't notice how "mad" i look till some one mentions it... its not intentional... just happens

[multifaceted]

We just happen to live in a society that is afraid of contagious diseases like colds from hugging someone, yet not afraid to get HIV or some other STDs from having sex with some random person.

People are really into "what is mine" and "what is not mine".

Toward strangers, I just simply don't show any expression.

[Smoogrish]

It's just culture. My spanish teacher makes a huge point of always greeting people with a hug and "Hola, chico/a!" It's a little awkward at first, but really. Cultures are different.

[HakunaMatata]

Now that I'm older, it seems taboo for some reason.

Perhaps another reason why we are less apt to hug and what not has a little to do with insecurity?

During class we were discussing how teachers cannot touch students at all, regardless of how close emotionally they are to them. I understand how people are very protective of their private space; that's normal, but I seriously admire and adore a couple of my teachers, but I've gotten some very weird looks because I hugged my teacher.

And about the insecurity thing, that has to be part of it. Sometimes, it seems as if some don't feel as if they deserve that human contact and as a result they seperate themselves.

Really? I think Western culture is much more open in terms of hugging, kissing and such compared to Asian culture. Almost everyone I know who grew up in Western culture hugs each other or kisses each other on the cheek when they meet (not so much for guys), but when it comes to Asian culture, per esempio, with my parents, there's rarely any touching involved.

Mmm, my parents loved to carry me when I was a kid, but once I got older, nada mas.

But I think in too many cultures, the father gets it too hard when it comes to touching. I don't remember the last time I've seen a father hug their teenage-or-older daughter on a regular, average day. I mean, conversation, sure, but hugging? Very little.

[angelrevelation]

I guess it depends at what you look at...

At school, people use hug as more of a greeting, like as much as a 'heyyy'. People always hug their coaches, and even people they aren't friends with (although they're more of air hugs).

But like in public public, people aren't exactly anti-social, but they would rather have their own seat on the bus or something. I think it's normal.

IMO it's better than being too inconsiderate of people's personal space.

[mznikki]

I'm fine with hugging and kissing friends on the cheek when you see them and whatnot, but really just good friends, because other people i'm not so great firends with its akward. Same goes for family we're all clean and a loving and affectionate family so its all good. But like there are some people i know even classmates, i just don't want them to touch me or anything of mine. there's this kid in my class he's always picking his nose constantly, scraching his dandruff, and biting his nails, and i gaurantee he goes to the bathroom, and dosn't wash his hands. Another girl I know who I'm not a fan of, but she thinks she friends with me and my firends, well she doesn't wash her hands in the bathroom, or shower often, she smells like bo and some other kind of perfume she thinks will cover it up and I don't like her touching me or huging me. I just clench up and i'm like ok.. my friend told her flat out- don't touch me i don't like to be touched..cause she didn't want her touching her. I don't really like shaking hands, like in church I'll watch if people sneeze or cough in their hands and I'll just smile and say peace be with you.

[smoke]

I can definitely see how a lot more people lack one on one communication skills these days with things like computers and telephones. I don't think it had gotten too bad though.

I'd MUCH rather talk to someone in person. Even though I love cB, ironically, I hate having to type to everyone. I wish we could actually communicate in person. That would be cool.