Poll: Appropriate physical affection between heterosexual men.

[mireko]

Where I live, hugging is the norm. I'm sure there are cultures where kissing is an appropriate response, but not here.

Not that I think there's anything wrong with kissing as a physical sign of affection between heterosexual men, it just doesn't happen around here, rendering it kind of weird.

[sub]In the sense that kissing is generally reserved for more intimate relationships.[/sub]

 

[xdom125x]

If I saw 2 "straight" men holding hands, I would probably assume they were gay. Grown people holding hands always seemed/seems (at least to me) to be reserved for 2 people that are dating.

 

[Raeil]

Personally, I'd say a kiss on the cheek is about as far as I'd feel comfortable with when it comes to platonic relationships. Cuddling I would also be fine with, as long as the cause is traumatic since that seems to be an appropriate response. Anything beyond that, to me, seems to be beyond platonic.

However, that's just me. If two guys kiss on the mouth to show platonic affection, then that's appropriate for them.

 

[rickthetrick]

The head nod. That is all that is ever required. If I actually touch another male my extreme machismo will destroy them, absorb their essence, and increase my power.

 

[squeekenator]

Handshake is fine, anything else is kinda gay. (Not that there's a problem with being gay, of course. Please don't flame.)

 

[Rayne870]

Ok...heres how i feel about it.

Hand holding is for parents guiding children or two people in a relationship, cuddling is for two people in a relationship or two people in dire need of warmth during an emergency situation in which case groping should not be involved. Kissing with tongue is an act of sexual affection and should be reserved as such. Kissing without tongue should be between two people in a relationship, actors acting or people with particular cultural backgrounds. Kissing on the cheek is generally a sign of affection or a greeting in some cultures and should be reserved as such. Hand shaking has always been the standard greeting however it spreads germs like crazy, I side with Penn and Teller's butt rub greeting on this one though have never executed it.

The hug, hugging between two heterosexual men is as follows, an embrace no longer than 3 seconds followed by a moderately forceful pat on the back, release and then no awkward pausing or staring into each other's eyes, conversation should continue or begin as appropriate. This man hug should be executed only as a greeting or farewell between two close friends or family and may also be used in times that mild physical comforting is needed to accent verbal comforting.

 

[Ham_authority95]

I think the intent matters more than the action. If it's just a thing between friends, than whatever, but if it's actually intimate, than they aren't heterosexual any longer...

Sometimes you can't tell if it's intimate or not, though.

 

[gphjr14]

I heard in India it is common for two heterosexual men to hold hands in public. I think this is great but I probably wouldn't feel comfortable doing so.

Looking at the poll again, no blowjob option? Prude

Pretty sure oral sex counts as sex.

Handshake is fine, anything else is kinda gay. (Not that there's a problem with being gay, of course. Please don't flame.)

You have a purple pony for an avatar... just sayin

 

[Denamic]

I guess hugs and kissing cheeks (depending on culture) are the "limits" of what's considered heterosexual physical contact.
Any more is pretty gay.

 

[TheLaofKazi]

I don't really care. The lines between different orientations are heavily blurred. In some cultures its the norm for people, no matter what gender, to kiss each other on the cheek. In ancient Greek and Roman culture, it was the norm for pretty much everybody to have sex with both men and women. They didn't even have a word for gay or gay sex, it was just sex.

People's sexuality isn't just confined to one orientation label, and it's very much influenced by their environment in my view. I call myself bisexual, but really only because that's easier then explaining the complicated details of my sexuality (I guess pansexual would make more sense). There are certain forms of affection, intimacy, sex and romance that the idea of appeal to me for both genders, people, situations, ect. It all depends. So I've basically stopped caring about where the lines are, because there is no objective line between different orientations and intimacy and affection. It's a subjective thing, everybody has their own desires, limitations and tastes.

Holding hands is just plain gay.

Exactly. If two men hold hands with each other, then that must mean they would also like to have sex with and enter a relationship with people of the same gender.

There is no line, draw your own.

 

[iblis666]

any physical contact between 2 people for non romantic reasons seems inappropriate to me and yes i probably wasnt hugged enough as a child

 

[eelel]

When I went to college up Vermont I was in a group of friends that had no problem with strait guys cuddling and being intament in a non sexual way.

 

[Demitri Kamoraz]

In the Russias, men do hold hands and skip through the flowers, and it is customary to greet close friends with one of those fake cheek kiss things, but I have yet to see two heterosexuals kiss on the mouth.

 

[SilentCom]

I find that a manly hug is the limit. Anything beyond that illustrates a possible romantic affection.

 

[monstersquad]

I know whenever I visit other countries, I often find myself asking "Gay or European/Canadian?".

You shouldnt equate European with Canadian. We are waaaayyyy too different. In europe, girls hold hands all the time, they walk down the streets with linked arms. In Canada, if two girls (ie.grown, sexually active females) are even holding hands, it could be construed that they're in a sexual relationship. The Canadian difference is that nobody really gives a fuck if you're gay or not.
As for men, hugging is pretty much the acceptable limit for heterosexual men, in Canada at least. Some men don't even shake hands unless you're meeting someone for the first time, or making a deal, I'm like this. In that case, what some people think is handshake worthy is more of a fist bumpable occasion.

 

[PureLocke]

Depending on your level of attachment (acquaintance, friend, bro, brah, broseph, best friend, family/adopted brother, heterosexual life partner) intimacy may be handshakes, roman handshake/chest pound/half hug, walking with eachother's hands on the shoulder opposite to them(can't remember what that is called), "patented" handshakes, "Bros before hos" priority. There is also some wiggle room regarding age differences and possible mentor/fatherly relationships. Also as previously mentioned, gay chicken may pop up anywhere from friend to HLP. It's also called a bromance, a few classic and contemporary examples: Watson and Holmes(by extension Wilson and House), Frodo and Sam, J.D. and Turk, Flashes and their Green Lanterns, Cable and Deadpool:

 

[XandNobody]

Speaking from a North American standpoint, I'mma break this down because a poll doesn't quite cut it really.

Handshake, expected. Hugging, just means you are close. Hand holding, will bring a few off looks. Kissing on the cheek, you had better be family. Kissing on the mouth, yea, you are probably gay (not that there is anything wrong with that). Cuddling, is awkward in public no-matter who is doing it, but, probably a gay vibe, yea.

 

[SilentCom]

How to give a MAN HUG:

 

[The Artificially Prolonged]

Handshakes all the way, though hugs are acceptable if you are both trapped in a blizzard and need each others body heat to survive. Why yes I'm British

 

[brunt32]

In England (Or at least where I come from) anything more then a handshake is an inappropriate affection for heterosexual man. I come from quite a 'conservative' little town so homosexuality isn't welcome here. Not that I'm homophobic. I personally do not care about anyone's sexuality. Probably due to myself being Asexual. However I do not like boys kissing in front of me however I do not like the same from same sex kissing.