Unbelievable
Aug. 18th, 2002 10:21 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gridloreI am currently engaged in one of the strangest discussions I have ever seen on the ConJose mailing list, A newbie ask for advise on how to enjoy his first World Con, and the comments flowed into convention etiquette. I mentioned that some people (like me) dislike being hugged without warning, so please ask first.
So far, I've been told that I need to see a shrink, been accused in private mail of being psychopathic, and told that if this person sees me they will hug me, consequences be damned.
Why is it so bloody hard for people to realize and accept that I just do not like being touched? Why do I have to wear a button that says Ask Before Hugging? What does it say about fandom that there is a market for these buttons?
To be clear: I understand and accept inadvertent contact like you get in crowded elevators and queues. Being tapped on the shoulder in a noisy place, is okay. But unless I have invited any other form of contact, please do not assume that I want to hug you! I have very good reasons for this.
Christ, I may get a spiked jacket at this rate.
So far, I've been told that I need to see a shrink, been accused in private mail of being psychopathic, and told that if this person sees me they will hug me, consequences be damned.
Why is it so bloody hard for people to realize and accept that I just do not like being touched? Why do I have to wear a button that says Ask Before Hugging? What does it say about fandom that there is a market for these buttons?
To be clear: I understand and accept inadvertent contact like you get in crowded elevators and queues. Being tapped on the shoulder in a noisy place, is okay. But unless I have invited any other form of contact, please do not assume that I want to hug you! I have very good reasons for this.
Christ, I may get a spiked jacket at this rate.
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no subject
Date: 18 Aug 2002 13:00 (UTC)Get that in writing so s/he can't sue you when you slug him/her. "Yes, that is what I said, yes, I did say that I was going to do it no matter what, yes I understand that constitutes an acceptance of whatever happened as a result, yes I understand I don't have a legal leg to stand on for Doug bitch slapping me to the curb."
I don't get people who think that their feelings on a matter have to apply to everyone. Dammit, not everyone likes being touched, and yes "just because" is a valid reason, alongside all the other valid reasons like abuse survivor, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc. Some people need to learn that their way or the highway means THEY can hit the road.