holding hands?

[ChildOfUniverse]

just curious. How many of you think that holding hands with a friend of opposite sex when you have a SO is acceptable? why or why not?

I personally think it's unacceptable, but my SO actually got angry at me when i told her i'm against it, which puts me in a moral dilema.

 

[silverwhisper]

to me, holding hands is a sign of deep emotional intimacy. socially, i believe that's only acceptable when you have a SO or someone w/ whom the relationship is heading in that direction, but that's JMHO.

ed

 

[bisexplicit]

I think its acceptable, for the most part.
I know my bestfriend and I (although we're of the same gender, I'm bi, so I think it kinda counts) hold hands, snuggle, sit in eachothers laps, etc. And there is nothing sexual about it - we both are just very touchy feely people who show our emotional connection that way.

 

[Miss Trixie]

deffinantly ok if it's a friend and it's only in a friendly way. i hold my girlfiends hands sometimes when we're out walking around, and i have no sexual interest in them

 

[EJFan]

i think it all depends on the context.

for instance, if you're holding your friend's hand while they're telling you something that's emotionally draining, that's acceptable. women do this more often than men do. it's just a comforting tool.

the problem comes (and i assume this is what you're referring to) when there's motion involved. if you're holding hands with a non-SO and you're walking together, i think that's a bit much. like silverwhisper said, it's a sign of emotional bonding.

so, sitting still is more acceptable but still a bit of a gray area for me... when there's movement involved, it's a hands down no-no in my book.

 

[Lynxie]

For the most part, I'd have to say it's unacceptable (assuming you're in a monogomous relationship, of course). It's a sign of affection and intimacy that I believe should be reserved for your SO, unless the rules of your relationship allow for otherwise.

However, certain circumstances would make exceptions okay. As EJ said, holding hands during an emotionally draining conversation whould be alright. I once went on a hike at dusk with a male friend, and we got a bit lost - it was so dark on our way back to the car that we had to hold hands just so we didn't lose each other. Context is everything.

 

[Eilan]

I don't feel that it's acceptable for me to do, but if it's within other people's comfort levels. . .

 

[zerimar1231]

I would HATE to see my bf holding hands with his friend (melanie) from work, so the idea of me holding hands with someone else would kill him. Sooo....i don't think it's such a good idea. But if it's ok with your SO than who cares, go right ahead.

 

[Angellika]

I voted I didn't mind, but now I think it depends on the situation, if my husbadn was holding hands with his best friend, I wouldn't mind, but if it was some other woman that I know likes him, it would not be so right... I am not jelaous normally, but as I said before it depends

 

[cmarlowe01]

It all depends on the culture.

 

[Râleclins]

Well, the question is, why would they hold hands ? Some people are really touchy-feely. It's in their nature. So it doesn't have to do with being in a relationship or not, and in my opinion they should be free to hold anybody's hands.
On the other hand, if the person wasn't touchy at all, and there started to be one exception... That would look a bit strange.

 

[h_i_s]

to me, holding hands is a sign of deep emotional intimacy. socially, i believe that's only acceptable when you have a SO or someone w/ whom the relationship is heading in that direction, but that's JMHO.

ed

i agree wholeheartedly .... 100%. i voted 'not acceptable'. i would have liked an option for the selection of the answer: 'acceptable if your spouse is aware of & condones the behavior'.

I think its acceptable, for the most part.
I know my bestfriend and I (although we're of the same gender, I'm bi, so I think it kinda counts) hold hands, snuggle, sit in eachothers laps, etc. And there is nothing sexual about it - we both are just very touchy feely people who show our emotional connection that way.

In my opinion, for myself, an 'emotional connection' can equal an intimate connection, which may or may not include feelings of sexual attraction. Being bi myself, even regarding another woman, it's an emotional & intimate connection with someone outside of my marital commitment which would require my Husband being 'ok' with it, too.

 

[biker75]

just curious. How many of you think that holding hands with a friend of opposite sex when you have a SO is acceptable? why or why not?

I personally think it's unacceptable, but my SO actually got angry at me when i told her i'm against it, which puts me in a moral dilema.

From my pov, a woman who holds your hand is saying she's letting you in. At the very least it's taking flirting to a physical level. So no, not acceptable.