Search Results: using friend to meet people

I have never been very close to my family in a physical manner. When I was younger I used to kiss my mom goodnight and that was about it. A handshake is the best I can get from my dad and little brother, anything else would feel quite awkward now.

A few years ago I saw a dad give a friend kind of a hug and a kiss on his head. I think he was a little embarrassed by it but little did he know it shocked me a little. I never had anything like that!

I do think this might be part of the reason I haven't learned to touch people in a natural way, like a pat on the shoulders or something like that. Because I never did it at home, I didn't do it to friends either.

To end on a positive note, I started taking dancing classes where touch and leading are very important. At first I was (and still am sometimes) nervous about it, but I also grew to like it. A simple touch while having a conversation still doesn't come very naturally though.

So how close are you with your family and friends? Do you jokingly push them away, draw them closer, give a squeeze their shoulders and hug them every time you meet them? Or is a handshake already something for a special occasion?