I really hate being touched by other people. It is so awkward. If I know them and like them I don't mind it as much, but I don't think it's unreasonable not to want strangers touching me. I don't even like talking to them! It just makes me feel so uncomfortable. For some reason strangers really like me and seem attracted by me, almost enchanted. They always want to talk to me and be around me and I put up with it even though I hate it until the touching starts.
For my job people always want to hug us. I hate it but I tolerate it. I put up with the hugs, back rubs, and shoulder pats from people but some of it I consider borderline molestation! Kissing on the cheeks is way over the line. They usually ask first and I always feel awful for saying no, but I can't take it anymore. Today was the first time I got kissed at my job by someone I really didn't want to even be around and I've had enough! I don't feel like this is an unreasonable want either. It doesn't embarrass me or make me nervous, I just hate it.
The other people I work with don't seem to mind it as much as I do. I guess I feel this way because my family is totally unloving and is never affectionate to each other. If I had to guess I would say that the last time one of my parents hugged me, I was probably 5. If it was one of my friends I wouldn't freak out about it so much, but they're complete strangers! What should I do? Is it rude of me to ask them not to touch me or to squirm away from them? Most of them are guys that are significantly older than I am. I don't know what to do anymore. I feel like I shouldn't even have to put up with this.
Before you ask, I'm not a stripper or anything like that!
For my job people always want to hug us. I hate it but I tolerate it. I put up with the hugs, back rubs, and shoulder pats from people but some of it I consider borderline molestation! Kissing on the cheeks is way over the line. They usually ask first and I always feel awful for saying no, but I can't take it anymore. Today was the first time I got kissed at my job by someone I really didn't want to even be around and I've had enough! I don't feel like this is an unreasonable want either. It doesn't embarrass me or make me nervous, I just hate it.
The other people I work with don't seem to mind it as much as I do. I guess I feel this way because my family is totally unloving and is never affectionate to each other. If I had to guess I would say that the last time one of my parents hugged me, I was probably 5. If it was one of my friends I wouldn't freak out about it so much, but they're complete strangers! What should I do? Is it rude of me to ask them not to touch me or to squirm away from them? Most of them are guys that are significantly older than I am. I don't know what to do anymore. I feel like I shouldn't even have to put up with this.
Before you ask, I'm not a stripper or anything like that!