What about tapping a person’s shoulder or upper arm to get their attention in a crowded room/group where it’s noisy?

FTR, I’m a woman who did that to a male colleague and was surprised when he seemed startled/upset by it.

It was at a conference event in a ballroom with 1k+ people hustling past each other looking for their assigned tables, etc. It was loud. It was dimly lit as well. I needed to get his attention to ask him a work-related question for someone working the event and I figured tapping his shoulder/arm would be less abrupt/more polite.

Given his response, I made a mental note to never touch anyone at work again. And that’s weird imho. People I interact with professionally who aren’t employed by my company are more engaging and touch people without issue (handshakes, hugs, pat on the back, joking nudge, etc.).

Anonymous wrote:How about $ex in one of the network closets with an Admin Assistant? Receiving a BJ from a co-worker in a different department in her office? A hand job from the same co-worker in your office? $ex in an unoccupied part of the building?
Crazy times and lucky we were never caught.

Why people didn’t mind going to work in the past, and why working from home is more popular now.

Anonymous wrote:quick pat on the shoulder seems fine. I'm a woman.

I agree. Also a woman.

Anonymous wrote:How about $ex in one of the network closets with an Admin Assistant? Receiving a BJ from a co-worker in a different department in her office? A hand job from the same co-worker in your office? $ex in an unoccupied part of the building?
Crazy times and lucky we were never caught.

Or hugging at a Coldplay concert?

It’s a test. The more comfortable you seem the more it progresses.

No. It’s grooming. First a lingering pat next thing you know it’s a boob squeeze.

quick pat on the shoulder seems fine. I'm a woman.

How about $ex in one of the network closets with an Admin Assistant? Receiving a BJ from a co-worker in a different department in her office? A hand job from the same co-worker in your office? $ex in an unoccupied part of the building?
Crazy times and lucky we were never caught.

No physical contact at work ever

In social settings ok if consensual.

Never in workplace.

I don't touch co-workers with the exception of a handful who expressly ask for hugs.

Not ok!!!

Say please don't do that.
Then, I asked you not to do tha.
Then loudly, I said I did not want you to do that.

In the year of our lord 2025, absolutely not ok.

Are these types of things acceptable at work or in social settings? I've been on the receiving end a few times. I've also witnessed it happen to others.

I know for a fact that they were not done with harmful intent but still wonder if people should just keep their hands to themselves??!!