Do you touch people when you talk to them?

[joeb]

Originally Posted By: joeb

Do I touch people when I talk to them? Yup. I hit them over the head with a 2x4....

Ahhhhh, stop laughing. I have to stay within the bounds of my perceived character around here, don't I?

[Ted Oplinger]

And do you like it when people do that?

Depends on how well I know them, what personal stance they hold themselves in, and what culture they hail from.

For those who demonstrate a "touching" approach, I reciprocate. For those who show a "closed" body language...like they are guarding their personal space - I respond in kind. I try to relate to people in the way they are most comfortable.

Blessings,

[LifeHiscost]

Originally Posted By: Gail

And do you like it when people do that?

Depends on how well I know them, what personal stance they hold themselves in, and what culture they hail from.

For those who demonstrate a "touching" approach, I reciprocate. For those who show a "closed" body language...like they are guarding their personal space - I respond in kind. I try to relate to people in the way they are most comfortable.

Blessings,

Sounds like a reasonable approach.

"For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law."

1 Corinthians 9:19-21 NASB

God cares!

[LifeHiscost]

And do you like it when people do that?

Potato Chips

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God

lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a

six-pack of root beer and started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting

in the park, just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him

and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer

when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him some

chips. He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.

His smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he

offered him a root beer. Again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted!

They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a

word.

As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up

to leave; but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned

around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. He gave him his

biggest smile ever..

When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his

mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him,

"What did you do today that made you so happy?"

He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond,

he added, "You know what? He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever

seen!"

Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His

son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "dad,

what did you do today that made you so happy?"

He replied "I ate potato chips in the park with God." However, before

his son responded, he added, "You know, he's much younger than I

expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a

listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all

of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our

lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime! Embrace all equally!

Have lunch with God.......bring chips.

[unquote]

God cares!

[Reddogs]

And do you like it when people do that?

If they have a relationship with me that rises to that level of trust, yes, and no one has ever had a issue with it (except some of my OCD techs, nobody can even get close to their 'personal space' much less touch any surface on them). Many people hug me at church and give me a kiss, and I cant say anything negative about it, unless it is of a sexual nature.

[cricket]

Do you touch people when you talk to them?

And do you like it when people do that?

Adding a thought in regard to responses to the original questions: Whatever the answer given, it is correct as it is a matter of personal preference.

[M. T. Cross]

Absolutely Cricket. While I am a pretty touchy person, I would never be that way with someone that is uncomfortable with it. A very little attention needs to be used to figure out within about 10 seconds if the person you are talking to is that way or not.

[ChildofChrist]

Personal space. Public space etc. Intimate space.

It is what one feels comfortable with. However, I'm not going to carry on a conversation with anyone in 'Public space which can be clear across the room. To me, when I talk with anyone, they are usually within 4 feet otherwise I acknowledge with a nod and wave.

Now, we have the Spanish in our local church and I'm not above giving and taking hugs with Senor R, It's the culture and we share the love of Jesus and the desire to reach the lost. Yes, his wife knows and we share hugs too! Now when a supporting pastor comes in for the group, I don't hug him but his wife. Respect for the position comes into play.

Touching man or woman depends upon my relationship with them and how well I know them. Even if I don't know them well, I'm not above reaching out and touching them on the arm or hand, depending on our topic and their stance. Then there are those that I don't want to give any false impressions...ie a single male that may read more into the touch than intended.

Are we making talking and touching more complicated than it needs to be?

[ChildofChrist]

BTW...I find myself making rounds and saying Hi to regulars and visitors in the sanctuary each week AND touching them on the shoulder or arm and let them know I'm glad to see them. I've been in too many churches where I've been a visitor and I might as well have been invisible. I used to walk into a church and other than the greeter perhaps, saying welcome as I was handed the bulletin, no one else would come over and say hello. Don't cha know, we are the frozen chosen.

The first part of the year, I was making rounds to local Sunday churches, to leave health fair flyers. In one, the pastor came and greeted me between praise songs. I was impressed and felt welcomed. Fact is, I regretted having to leave.

[Gail]

It's always great to see you here again, CofC!

((( Child of Christ )))

[joeb]

BTW...I find myself making rounds and saying Hi to regulars and visitors in the sanctuary each week AND touching them on the shoulder or arm and let them know I'm glad to see them. I've been in too many churches where I've been a visitor and I might as well have been invisible. I used to walk into a church and other than the greeter perhaps, saying welcome as I was handed the bulletin, no one else would come over and say hello. Don't cha know, we are the frozen chosen.

The first part of the year, I was making rounds to local Sunday churches, to leave health fair flyers. In one, the pastor came and greeted me between praise songs. I was impressed and felt welcomed. Fact is, I regretted having to leave.

I think you've just been in all the wrong churches. I've been in both ice skating rink and sauna bath churches.

I attended one church for a couple of years that visitors left with tennis elbow from shaking so many hands, and lock jaw from talking to so many people. But that was after they attended, if there was any way we could shanghai them into it, the weekly pot luck that close to 1/2 of the congregation attended every week. There dozens of people talked to them and helped them pick out the food brought by the best cooks. We had a lot of return visitors.

That was the best church I've ever attended, but I've also been to many other friendly churches. What I've found is that the larger the concentration of SDA's there is in any one area the colder the churches in that area will be.

[Gail]

That was the best church I've ever attended, but I've also been to many other friendly churches. What I've found is that the larger the concentration of SDA's there is in any one area the colder the churches in that area will be.

Food for thought...