How is holding your significant other's hand a sign of affection?

Question

It's quite interesting to me... not that I've ever had a significant other who held my hand.... but I was just wondering...

Answer 1

Definitely, unless one of you is holding on for dear life in which case it's a more primitive survival action, not at all related to affection.

I noticed I actually never answered your question, so let me take another swing at it before the "Yahoo Answers terms of use violation Nazis" take away 10 points.

How is holding your significant other's hand a sign of affection? For starters, to touch something or someone at least in some small way indicates that we have some desire or intent of being close to him/her/it. In general, I don't touch or I try not to touch anyone or anything I do not like. The only people who generally touch someone or something they would prefer not to are those who are in some way compensated to do so, I'm thinking of doctors, cosmeticians, paramedics, etc.

Secondly, on a strictly symbolic basis, holding hands is an obvious sign that you and your significant other are together, not just a pair of individuals who happen to be in the same general location moving in the same general direction.

For me, hand-holding sort of defines a kind of protectiveness such as when I'm holding my daughter's hand when we're crossing the street, although with a couple of adults, it sort of defines a mutual protectiveness.

Here's what I would suggest: next time you're with your SO, take the initiative and grab his/her hand (I forgot to notice the gender of your avatar). I've had some that either didn't prefer to hold hands or let go at the first opportunity. Others almost, as I half-jokingly mentioned above, seemed to hold on for dear life. I don't think you can read much, if anything, into the fact that as you said "not that I've ever had a significant other who held my hand", some people just don;t like to hold hands.

I personally don't care one way or the other, except to keep my daughters safe in traffic, but I've found it's a good way to become closer with an SO.

HTH, sorry for being so flip earler

Answer 2

If it was just the hand-holding thing I would tell you to try to take it with a grain of salt, since everyone has their quirks, and not wanting to hold hands for very long can certainly be one of them (sweaty palms, knuckles getting sore, whatever). But even if he was anti-hand-holding, if he cared about you then he could have chosen another way to show affection in a manner that satisfied you... ie, rubbing your knee affectionately now and then, giving you a hug, holding you with his arm around your waist, etc. What you really wanted wasn't your hand held, it was a show of affection from him. And he apparently isn't engaged in giving it, as I think you already are well aware of. Honestly, it sounds like, for you, this relationship is over. It's run its course, it's not what you want, and deep down, you know it. All that remains is to do what you know you need to do, even though it will hurt. But then again... doing the right thing may end up hurting less than you expect it to.

Answer 3

When people hold hands they are sharing sparks. Chemistry. There's a connection between both. A sign of intimacy. That is showing affection.

Answer 4

imagine you have a significant other who does not touch you at all.then,remember the first time he did touch you.there is a lot of power in the human touch,whether it's holding hands or the slight sweep of an arm around your shoulder.it feels good and comfortable to be close to another,connected in some way.

Answer 5

Yes that is a sign of affection - it makes you feel close to the other person the same as cuddling or a hug or a kiss. You'll know when you experience it.

Answer 6

Physical contact in any positive way (by that I mean not abusive), releases chemicals in the brain that bond you to the other person. It's just like a way of saying that the other person is "yours" and you two don't want to be separated. It's a very happy feeling.

Answer 7

That's a good question. Maybe it's because you can feel your pulse in your thumb and it's a way to keep someone "close" to your heart. I've heard that if two people put their thumbs together, their pulses will sync. We like to think we're evolved, but maybe we're just fumbling around, trying to sync.

Answer 8

To me it shows that you are willing to be led or follow and are close at hand in times of trouble. It also shows to the world that you are with that person.

Answer 9

I guess it's because you have contact with somebody, like as in touch. It is interesting that people consider simple things like holding hands, PDA.

Answer 10

Because your hands are extremely sensitive - its an intimate kind of thing. Maybe not as much as kissing, but still pretty strong.