how do you feel when strangers touch you

[Tiggeroo]

I posted a couple days ago about a new employee at my work who was very diffiuclt. She is also touchy feely. She pats my arm, rubs my back when she makes a point, picks loose hair off my back and comments on it. It's not quite inappropriate, just weird. I'm not a touch person and I'm really ready to smack her. I assume she thinks it makes her friendly/nice. To me it's like you don't know me, keep your hands off me. It's none of your business if I have a hair on my back or anything else. And when she does it I flinch and pull away. Anybody but a clueless person would know this isn't appreciated. Does anybody have someone at work like this.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

Well, I suppose that depends on who is doing the touching!

If it was the woman you speak of, I would smack her.

 

[Skywalker]

I would smack her hand away, hard. Just a reflex action, of course.

 

[Tiggeroo]

oh since I work with her smacking isn't really an option

 

[CajunDixie]

I wouldn't be able to stand it! I'd have asked her not to touch me after the first time and if she didn't then that is making a hostile workplace. If you haven't said anything to her it's up to you to let her know your feelings on this. Then if she continues take it up the line to a person in management. They are going to want you concentrating on your work; not when the next touchy session will start.

As you can see from my tag I cannot stand for people to touch my hair. But for some reason people have the urge to run their fingers through my curls. Ewwwwwww totally creeps me out!!!!!

 

[maci]

Cant stand it!

Can you try to move away, each time she does something like that. maybe she would get the clue.

 

[auntpolly]

oh since I work with her smacking isn't really an option

Really? They frown on that do they?

 

[glass-slipper]

Yeah, that creeps me out too. If it were me, I'd have to say something, because if you don't she'll probably never get the "hints" and you'll always be uncomfortable.

 

[Robinrs]

It depends on how innocent the touch is. Innocent touching doesn't bother me at all, since I AM a touchy feely person. But being one I can gauge automatically how much you can get away with people, which is important because MOST people do NOT like being touched. I have a sister that HATES to be touched and one that LOVES it. I grew up with a lot of experience on who to touch and who not to!

My son is very touchy feeliy also so I had to train him YOUNG. Unfortunately no one trained your co worker so I'd advise you to let her know with words.

Robinrs

 

[disykat]

I think I'd say "stop touching me!". I could probably let an occasional arm pat go, but, I'm sorry, anyone who rubs my back is getting scolded.

 

[princess pooh]

I don't like being touched by complete strangers. I always think they're trying to pickpocket me.

I also work with some touchy-feely people. I find if I back away a tiny bit, they get the hint.

 

[magicmouse2]

Depends who where and what....Sometimes it can be comforting and friendly other creepy....

 

[Tasha+Scott]

That is one of the main things I hated about being preg. Apparently if you are preg. there is some sort of unwritten rule that it is okay for complete strangers to touch your stomach any time they want.

Now that I am no longer preg. I don't have a problem with strangers trying to touch me. Now they all try to touch dd, which drives me nuts! I don't know these people, don't know if they are sick, and don't know where their hands have been! Why, oh why do they think I am okay with them touching my child?! Ugh! I know they just think she's a cute little baby and don't mean any harm but it makes me sooo uncomfortable. I try to be nice about it as I slyly keep Kylie away from their grubby paws and slowly back away...smiling the entire time at them of course. It usually works and doesn't seem too offensive, or so it seems. I think I am going to have to carry hand sanitizer at all times and whenever a stranger tries to touch her I can atleast tell them to use some of that first! Nah, I'll probably still just back away slowly.

 

[MrsNick]

The occasional arm pat would be one thing, but this co-worker of yours is super-creepy! YUK!

 

[eclectics]

I don't mind at all when strangers strike up conversations (from the other thread) but I'm not crazy about being touched (unless you've been invited )

 

[Pop Daddy]

toucha toucha toucha touch me

 

[Disney Doll]

Sometimes it doesn't bother me & sometimes I get a "sense" that's it odd or inappropriate.

In general, I am not bothered by "normal" touching...handhsakes, a pat on the back...that kind of thing.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

I hate being touched by people I don't know or am not fond of. My natural reaction is to tense up. I have a co-worker who really creeps me out who loves to touch everyone. I actually had to tell him to not touch me since my posture did not clue him in. Now if I can get him to stop coming by my desk all the time.

 

[Stitchfans]

Wouldn't bother me that much. As long as it is just my arm, or back. We have quite a few people at work like that. Especially the students I work with.

 

[mushumadness]

I hate it

infact it happened to me at work yesterday, a guy came to fix the computer and he was stood behind me stroking my hair!!! now my boss knows I hate to be touched, so escorted him from the building, thinking about it gives me the creeps