I do not like unfamiliar people touching me. Now a simple bump, or accidental touch is perfectly fine but deliberate touching of any part of my person offends me. I have long, curly hair and has lots of volume and for some reason it draws people to me like a moth to flame. I could be sitting somewhere quietly to myself and some random person will pet me like I’m a dog or something. I’m a grown woman. I also have people randomly touch my face, rub my cheek, under my chin, I repeat I’m a grown woman. I’m not a loud person, I don’t yell but I can unnerve people when I do decide to take them to task. I’m often accused of overreacting but I DON’T know where your hands have been. I don’t know if you went to the bathroom and didn’t wash your hands and now have fists full of my hair in your grimy hands. I don’t care if you think my hair is unique or my skin is so smooth or whatever offhand compliment you can give. DON’T touch me.

Some people are fine with being touched by strangers, some people love it but when it happens to me I freeze and I don’t like confrontation so it fills me with dread and fatigue at the battle that will surely come at me simply stating, “Please, ask me before you touch me.”