On cultural boundaries, I had to laugh at the Native Ministries collaborative meeting. The two organizers were from California, and the dude did ministry somewhere else (China?). I forget. But they clearly didn't know about the space issue thing, so we were standing in a circle chatting, and they kept stepping forward emphatically, and I and the Navajo dudes all kept stepping backward to keep them at the right distance. I wanted to take them aside and tell them what they were doing, but they never noticed. They were just so puppy happy and enthusiastic. And we were all, okay, white dudes, you are too close to me now, signal: retreat!

they kept stepping forward emphatically, and I and the Navajo dudes all kept stepping backward to keep them at the right distance.

I get into this situation all the time with international students. I step backwards, they step forwards, and we end the conversation on the other side of the room from where we began it.

I hate people who touch me when I don't want to be touched. Like the time I was out at happy hour with my coworkers, and a guy in the bar came up to ask one of my coworkers if her mother was married(!). He was asking for a friend.

Anyway, she was on the opposite side of the table from me, and while he was talking to her, he put his hands on my shoulders. Ugh.

Tep,

glad you are getting some breathing room. Sounds like that took all your self-restraint for 2013. Whew.

And what Liese said.

And I like my space too.

Trudy, that's a lovely memory. Thanks for sharing it.

Steph, applause for not smacking that woman who touched your hair. I'm glad it's all working out.

My physical boundaries are strangely permeable. If I don't actively dislike a person, I can tolerate a lot of closeness and touching, which is weird for an introvert, I think.

Trudy, that was a wonderful memorial.

I would have hit that woman, Steph!

I'm very particular about who can and can't touch me. And no one invades my space!

Was reading here today, and just wanted to send my ~mas to all of you. While I don't have the time to write and read here as I'd like to or used to, it really helps to know there's such a place online (or well, at all), and go on with my unglamorous daily chores that keep me away from writing/reading here more often.

So, just wanted to say that. Just reading how you're helping each other helps me to keep my head up. Thanks for that.

(Cross posted with Natter)

I'm very introverted and generally all in for being touched by people I like. I'm one of those annoying huggy people. But I also try to respect boundaries and would never go in for a hug (or any kind of contact) on someone who flinches or gets that look of terror in their eyes. The tells are very obvious if you bother to look for them, no love to the grabby hands lady.

Caller: "I'd like to report someone drunk driving after the superbowl."

Me: "um, it hasn't even started yet."

Erin, maybe they're just being proactive?