...What was that for?

[Midorikawa]

A coworker is working his way through school, and as part of one of his classes, needed to find a guest speaker in the IT field, and asked me. I accepted, even though I'm not a fan of public speaking, and got my speech put together.

I give the speech, with only minor technical difficulty from the computer, did a quick Q&A session with the class, then sat down next to <coworker>.

Next speaker gets up, references something from my speech, and the instructor turns around and jokingly punches me in the shoulder, as one would a close friend. I strongly debated going the route of "Introverted, don't you dare touch me" geek. ...Instead, I settled with the safer for <coworker>'s grade death glare, which the teacher promptly shrugged off. O_o

Then, this IT Systems professor went on about the stock markets, while I tried desperately to find a tie-in to anything tech related, outside of watching stocks from finance.yahoo.com. Sounds like my coworker was about ready to go complain to the dean about the professor, and today sealed the deal. Highly inappropriate contact, and I should have probably filed a complaint about him, but oh well.

[AnaKhouri]

I hate when strangers touch me in any fashion. The other day (pre-election) a city council candidate was making the rounds. Khan and I happened to be playing in the front yard, so we had to stand and listen to his spiel. When he came up to me, saying, "Hi, I'm so and so..." he put his hand on the back of my neck. It was only for a moment, or I might have punched him.

Yeah, he didn't get my vote, just for that.

[blas]

I get nervous when people I'm not close to touch me.

I'm warming up still to some of my coworkers.....it's been a year that I've been working in this particular area and some of them are quite touchy feely with the hugs and the back pats.....at first I was like but I'm getting used to it. They don't mean anything bad.

Now if only my stupid manager would quit patting me on the back. He doesn't wash his hands.

[zombiequeen]

People at my church, and everyone in my family, is super touchy. Like hugs, holding hands (but not in a coupley situation) and the like. My in-laws used to do the whole "good job" butt-smack. I think my father-in-law still tells people about the nuclear freakout I had on him for that one.

[blas]

My mom slaps my butt constantly. I'm not sure what her deal is. It's not a punishment or anger thing, she just does it like those darn football players do to one another.

[Andara Bledin]

My mom slaps my butt constantly. I'm not sure what her deal is. It's not a punishment or anger thing, she just does it like those darn football players do to one another.

It's a camaraderie/bonding thing.

I'm kind of a touchy type of person; I like to do the hug thing and give back scritches. But I won't actually touch anyone without permission; that's just not cool.

As for the guy that touched AnaKhouri's neck. *twitch* If I don't know you pretty well already, I sure as hell don't want you anywhere near my neck.

^-.-^

[ralerin]

I had a freakout on manager A, TWICE in front of customers because she will come up and whack me on the arm. Not hard, but enough to sting.

"Do you smack your children?"

"No, why would I do that?"

"If you wouldn't do it to your children, why do it to me? I am your subordinate, not your dog!"

And then she wandered around for the next half hour sniffling at anyone, "Waah waaah waaah ralerin hates me."

[KabeRinnaul]

I'm not terribly comfortable with people I don't know touching me, but there are a couple people at my store who tend to get touchy. One is a guy I kinda know and am friends with, so him I pretty much just let slide, and he's usually just doing it to set up a joke or story. The other is a really dumb supervisor who feels it necessary to put her arm over your shoulders and lean in right next to you to tell you anything.

[Food Lady]

I do NOT like to be touched. My friends/fam are allowed, though; I just kind of endure it for the sake of sparing feelings.

[Android Kaeli]

I don't mind being touched as a whole, but I seriously have been stepping back with some customers, especally with the older ones, that think they can pat me on the hand or something. No, I don't want you to touch me, go away.

It's annoying, it's rude, and one of these days I'm going to tell them straight up that it's rude to touch someone you don't know. And I'll gladly accept the write-up for that.

[TheRabbi]

Eh, there are appropriate and inappropriate kinds of contact. I tend to be a touchy-feely sort of person, and don't think anything of clapping someone on the shoulder or maybe reaching out to put my hands on their shoulders if it makes sense to do so. (For example, if I'm jokingly saying, "C'mon, man, get a hold of yourself!" I will probably shake that person by the shoulders.) But necks and heads tend to be off-limits, unless I am friends with the person.

Personally, though, any person who gives me a headscratch immediately earns 3 life points and a voucher for a headscratch in return.

[Andara Bledin]

Personally, though, any person who gives me a headscratch immediately earns 3 life points and a voucher for a headscratch in return.

I have been told I have super-scritching nails. So, if you ever happen to wander into my neck of the woods, give me a shout.

^-.-^

[Rantsylvania 6-5000]

Next speaker gets up, references something from my speech, and the instructor turns around and jokingly punches me in the shoulder, as one would a close friend. I strongly debated going the route of "Introverted, don't you dare touch me" geek. ...Instead, I settled with the safer for <coworker>'s grade death glare, which the teacher promptly shrugged off. O_o

People really shouldn't assume it's okay to touch strangers...and punching in the arm? He's lucky you didn't react violently, and deck him.

I don't mind being touched as a whole, but I seriously have been stepping back with some customers, especally with the older ones, that think they can pat me on the hand or something. No, I don't want you to touch me, go away.

It's annoying, it's rude, and one of these days I'm going to tell them straight up that it's rude to touch someone you don't know. And I'll gladly accept the write-up for that.

I would hope you don't have to worry about being written up. It's your body, you don't have to let anyone touch it if you don't want!

Ugh, I HATE personal space invaders! Hands off!

[smileyeagle1021]

, she just does it like those darn football players do to one another.

as a complete

I just love those big manly men, big manly straight men... who just happen to enjoy touching other guys butts... but completely manly and straight... uhuh... sure... we all know what happens in the locker room, we have xtube

Okay, back on topic.
I was always on the school of thought that unless you actually know the person well enough to know how they react the only two times you should touch them is (1) to shake hands, and (2) if they are in immediate danger and physical contact is the only effective way to remove them from danger (this is of course assuming cordial conditions, there is condition (3) they are threatening you and you need to use force to put them down, but most likely that won't be happening at school or work).

[chainedbarista]

yes, if i don't know you, don't touch me; if i do and don't like you, don't touch me. if i know you and like you, handshakes, hugs are ok, pats on the head are not, a pat on the butt is not and a copped feel might get you hospitalized, either way.

ralerin, that's reportable (at least, i'd think so); it's not just contact, it's abusive contact...a smack is something that one used to give as a correction to a dog (not anymore, since it's generally not that effective) and not acceptable under any circumstances, unless the hitter wants to risk getting clocked.

android, if you get written up over that, go to your higher ups and file a complaint; unwanted contact isn't acceptable, getting a write up over it is showing that your employees can be used/abused as the customer sees fit, and is beyond unacceptable.

smiley, i've never understood that myself, the butt slapping, reminds me too much of some things in porn movies...what?