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Kimmie, this morning: "I don't care if it's inappropriate, I need a hug." I told her of course she could have one, and I don't think touch is inappropriate unless it were uninvited or unwelcome. But society has over-sexualized interpersonal touch to the extent that workplace policies now pretty much disallow any touch at all.
And the reaction is fairly internalized, too. Yesterday when Scott stopped by to tell me he had made a database change I requested, he rubbed my shoulders for a few seconds. I couldn't help wondering what that was supposed to mean. Was it a subtle pass at me, or something else? Why does it have to be anything more than a friendly contact? I didn't tell him to stop, or report it to anyone, or do anything at all other than wonder about it. But it felt good and I need and enjoy physical contact with people.
And the reaction is fairly internalized, too. Yesterday when Scott stopped by to tell me he had made a database change I requested, he rubbed my shoulders for a few seconds. I couldn't help wondering what that was supposed to mean. Was it a subtle pass at me, or something else? Why does it have to be anything more than a friendly contact? I didn't tell him to stop, or report it to anyone, or do anything at all other than wonder about it. But it felt good and I need and enjoy physical contact with people.
