# Are you ticklish? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 1, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844 "2008-07-01T01:39:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![combust-i-cation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@combust-i-cation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/combust-i-cation)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/1 "2008-07-01T01:39:20Z")
Why do people ask “Are you ticklish?” You know if someone asks you that, that they are going to touch you. Is it manners. If I was provoked to hit someone would I tell them. If so, what provoked the tickler to tickle and warn about it. A comic brought up that subject and said when asked “are you ticklish”, he says “don’t, I have diarrhea”. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/2 "2008-07-01T03:30:13Z")
There’s one way to find out, give them a couple of test-tickles. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/3 "2008-07-01T03:42:35Z")
I’m so confused. Clearly I must tickle everyone in this thread into submission. _tickle tickle tickle_ ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/4 "2008-07-01T03:50:09Z")
“Are you ticklish? 'Cause getting this suit tailored is going to be a long and expensive train-wreck, unless I can warn you, and you can deal with it” ---
**Author:** ![Algorithm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/algorithm/32/12204_2.png) [@Algorithm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algorithm)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/5 "2008-07-01T08:35:24Z")
I’m ticklish, and don’t mind if I get tickled. It’s an OK thing to do with a family member or significant other (IMHO). However, a few years ago, I learned how not to be an asshole: when someone says “I do not like being tickled,” respect their preference, though it may differ from yours. A year of dating later and I still hadn’t tickled her (as I’m not a _complete_ asshole), though she recounted several tales of relationships ending due to men being tickle-retards. She said “no, please stop,” how hard is it? ---
**Author:** ![essell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/34f0e0/32.png) [@essell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/essell)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/6 "2008-07-01T09:22:41Z")
My Wife has been known to squeek and run away just at the threat of being tickled. The anticipation can be that powerful! That’s why you ask “Are you ticklish?”. Raises the anticipation. I don’t suggest trying this in public, or with strangers. Have you ever chassed a small child up the stairs shouting “I’m going to get you! RRRAAGGHH!” with the child laughing in a mixture of fear and joy? Anticipation is fun. ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/7 "2008-07-01T10:26:55Z")
[QUOTE=Algorithm] However, a few years ago, I learned how not to be an asshole: when someone says “I do not like being tickled,” respect their preference, though it may differ from yours. [/QUOTE] Quoted for truth. Just because I am laughing does not mean I am having fun. People who tickle me do not remain my friends. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/8 "2008-07-01T12:08:00Z")
I don’t like being tickled. I hate it from a stranger and I REALLY hated it from my sadistic ex, who thought it was just hilarious that I came completely unglued when he held me down and tickled me. This is right up there with people who leave their dog loose in their home when their guests are terrified of dogs. Sick fuckers…that’s what they are. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/9 "2008-07-01T12:27:36Z")
[QUOTE=Algorithm] A year of dating later and I still hadn’t tickled her (as I’m not a _complete_ asshole), though she recounted several tales of relationships ending due to men being tickle-retards. She said “no, please stop,” how hard is it? [/QUOTE] **FACT** : _One out of every three women in the U.S. has been tickleraped by the age of 21, often by people they thought they could trust._ **Do your part. Help STOP the madness!** ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/10 "2008-07-01T12:42:40Z")
[QUOTE=Autolycus] I’m so confused. Clearly I must tickle everyone in this thread into submission. _tickle tickle tickle_ [/QUOTE] Don’t, I have diarrhea. It’d go like this: :dubious: 🙂 😛 😃 😃 😃 😃 :eek: :mad: ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/11 "2008-07-01T12:59:39Z")
[QUOTE=cowgirl] Quoted for truth. Just because I am laughing does not mean I am having fun. People who tickle me do not remain my friends. [/QUOTE] You’ve said it perfectly for me. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/12 "2008-07-01T13:06:27Z")
Just because I’m laughing uncontrollably does not mean I’m having fun. I’ll put up with a tiny amount, but if you tickle me to try to get a rise out of me, I’ll grab you by the wrists and lay down the law. I HATE that shit. ---
**Author:** ![Soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/13 "2008-07-01T13:11:11Z")
I have been trying to get that very same idea through Lady Soul’s head for years. I hate hate hate HATE HATE HATE HATE being tickled, yet she does it anyway. The only thing that ever got her to stop for a few weeks was that one time I grabbed her wrists, screamed “KREEEEAAAAAGH” and launched a headbutt at her left boob. ---
**Author:** ![Aangelica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Aangelica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aangelica)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/14 "2008-07-01T13:26:39Z")
[QUOTE=cowgirl] Quoted for truth. Just because I am laughing does not mean I am having fun. People who tickle me do not remain my friends. [/QUOTE] _Also_ quoted for truth. Although, thankfully, the only part of my anatomy that’s even marginally ticklish are the bottoms of my feet (sadly, however, they are _very, very \* ticklish). This led to me developing my foolproof method for making people stop tickling me. Some asshole would give it a shot, and I would kick them sharply in the face and exclaim the phrase “I told you not to do that, asshole!”_ I dislike the sensation intensely, and people who do not stop touching me upon request richly deserve a kick to the face. I actually broke my brother’s nose when we were about 12 that way. I didn’t pull the kick quite as much as I intended to - probably because his aggravating ass had been tickling my feet every chance he got for days (including coming into my bedroom while I was sleeping and having a go at my feet) and I’d had enough of his crap. Although, that was the _last_ time he did it. My mother was unsympathetic to his plight. \*Actually the original phrase was “I told you not to do that, jerkwad” because I began my training program on those around me when I was still in single digits. ---
**Author:** ![Elenfair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cc9497/32.png) [@Elenfair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elenfair)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/15 "2008-07-01T13:29:59Z")
It’s a legitimate question from a makeup artist. Sometimes the work may be delicate and intricate (especially around the neck) and if you have a ticklish subject, it’s better to know in advance. Other than that, to hell with the asker. I hate being tickled. ---
**Author:** ![velvetjones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5f9b8f/32.png) [@velvetjones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velvetjones)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/16 "2008-07-01T13:38:37Z")
When my husband and I first got together and found out we were both extremely ticklish, we made a pact never to tickle each other. Now, he’s much more ticklish than me so I will inadvertantly tickle him when I’m trying to be caress or kiss him. I’m not nearly that wired but we don’t tickle each other on purpose. I feel bad for him though, he could never endure a pedicure or a massage where I’m able to relax enough to enjoy both of those things. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/17 "2008-07-01T13:40:59Z")
[QUOTE=combust-i-cation] Why do people ask “Are you ticklish?” You know if someone asks you that, that they are going to touch you. [/QUOTE] In that case the answer is only on my privates. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/18 "2008-07-01T14:14:28Z")
When I wrestled in high school, one of my favorite moves when I was “par terre” (by the ground; down), with my opponent who was trying to keep his hips on the mat, was to give him a little tickle right below his stomach. With an inexperienced wrestler, they’d instinctively crunch up just a little bit, and I’d be able to get my arm under them to perform a ‘gut wrench’. Good stuff. A question to those who don’t like being tickled, and as a follow up to **essell’s** statement: is _saying_ you’re gunna tickle somebody and\* pretending\* to do it just as bad? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/19 "2008-07-01T14:21:17Z")
“I react badly to being touched”, accompanied by a serious frowny face, discourages all comers for me. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844/20 "2008-07-01T14:26:43Z")
[QUOTE=cowgirl] Quoted for truth. Just because I am laughing does not mean I am having fun. People who tickle me do not remain my friends. [/QUOTE] Quoted again for truth. It’s so nice to know I’m not alone. I’d rather be punched in the mouth than tickled; really. The two acts seem to be equally aggressive to me and I will react accordingly. Except that I put up with a little bit from my wife who seems to enjoy having power over me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-ticklish/454844.md?page=2)