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.

[*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?

[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.