I notice when I'm around a group of people and they are all from the same race (whites, Blacks, Mexicans, Chinese, etc.) that they tend to playfully touch (push, embrace, hug, touch, hold the hand or arm, etc.) each other.
But when I do the same, I get looked at as if I were doing something wrong. So I avoid touching people completely now, because it seems any sort of contact with people outside their race takes them by surprise.
Am I correct in my observations?
I'm multiracial, by the way -and look unlike any person most people have seen, from what I'm told.
2007-05-20 01:35:42 · 6 answers · asked by tlakkamond 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
your observations are right...something inside them makes them think the they are disrespecting their culture. I'm black and if i find someone that I enjoy being around and I start to like, I'm going to talk to him. I wouldn't care what no one says or think. There isn't a law that says we only have to talk to people of our race.
2007-05-20 01:40:53 · answer #1 · answered by fattie_grl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not about race.
They might be from the same family or somehow related. It is also about how familiar you are to the person you are trying to have physical contact with. It could also be a case of what is culturally appropriate - such as your age, or how they see your relative "status" in term of their culture.
It is NOT all races that will only touch the person of their own race. Some culture, it is NOT even appropriate to openly hug or embrace each other. But this is a culture thing. (For example, in Thailand, it is very in appropriate even for boyfriends and girlfriends to be seen kissing and embracing in public)
Don't make a big deal of it. Just observe. It might help if you also ask them about this. I am sure most people will be more than willing to explain.
2007-05-20 09:24:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In America, it is not out of the ordinary to see different races having physical contact with each other, In fact multicultural and interracial dating are very popular, at least where I live. As for people acting strange if you touch them in a playful manner....it could just be that person, their beliefs or their own discomfort in being touched by someone they don't know that well or aren't in a relationship with. No matter what you look like or where you are from, we are all the human race and were all created equal.
2007-05-23 05:22:41 · answer #3 · answered by vanhammer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is unfortunate that this is typically true...It does depend on how well or close you know these friends...acquantences..I wouldn't touch them unless they felt comfortable...some ppl are just not as open to having someone different than them touching them...I believe it does depend on how you were raised..and social environment..such as race...crazy, but a truth...I am colorblind when it comes to race..here's a *hug* 4 ya! take care..
~peace~
2007-05-23 01:11:52 · answer #4 · answered by no_doubt! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think people are just naturally drawn to people who are similar to themselves. Some couples even start to look like each other. Couples/friends start to dress the same way.
I don't think the response you are getting is a racial thing. You either don't know the people well enough or your culture is more "touchy-feely" than other cultures.
2007-05-20 08:42:37 · answer #5 · answered by DJ 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that you might be misinterpreting the response. I think people outside of our own 'races' are sometimes surprised when we touch them, because so many people have issues around other 'races' and act almost scared. I think they welcome it, once they realize you're genuine and affectionate, I know I do.
2007-05-20 08:46:34 · answer #6 · answered by ™Tootsie 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋