I am a kind of touchy person. Growing up, my family would often give hugs or kisses on the cheek to show we cared for each other. This has carried over to how I interact with other people in my day-to-day life. If a friend does something cool, I’ll pat them on the back or hug them as a congrats. But, when my classmate, Riley, let me know they don't like when I do that with them, I had to really consider how some of those gestures can make people feel. Everyone has their own boundaries, and I realized that because I don’t know the specific comfort level of every other person in my classes, it is probably best to keep physical affection limited to friends and family.

Physical Touch

When you come to college, you meet a lot of different people. Each individual has their own background and upbringing that shapes who they are and what they are comfortable with. Because of this, you will likely encounter both people who enjoy more physical contact than you, and those who prefer less. When at school, it is best practice to avoid touching your classmates unless they explicitly tell you otherwise. 

Ask yourself: Have I seen how this person reacts to physical touch? What does that reaction look like? Am I willing to take responsibility for a negative reaction to physical contact I initiate?