Hi prefabsprout
What a lovely thread. I don't like to be touched by people I don't know very well, and I have been told I send out that vibe. It's funny though, that I will touch my students (I'm a high school teacher) when I feel they need it. A hand on the shoulder with a gentle squeeze, or a mum-hug - sometimes I just have to, because they are hurting, or scared, even though we are not supposed to.
I want to tell you about my sons. They are 13 and 15. The 13 year old always reminds me to be careful around elderly people when we are in the supermarket with a trolley, he watches them anxiously if they are crossing a road, and smiles at them all the time.
My 15 year old will carry things for people, eg if he is walking home and sees a woman or older person unloading their car, and will go out of his way to help elderly people across the street. Only once has he been met with nastiness, when he offered to help a woman carry something heavy from her car to the house, and she accused him of wanting to case the joint! It didn't put him off helping others.
I have never told them to do this, but I have always held doors and helped people if I see them struggling. I guess they caught on that kindness is worthwhile.
I'm proud of them, and if I achieve nothing else in life, bringing two kind young men into the world is more than enough.
Hugs