Is touching co-workers OK?

[DrDeth]

@Left_Hand_of_Dorkness

DrDeth aside–and I know that’s like a metric shit-ton of posts to put aside–I’m wondering if there’s an accommodation position:

1. Everyone, pay attention to the norms at your workplace.
2. If you’re in a non-touching workplace, and someone touches you, it’s cool to let them know what the norms are.
3. If you’re in a touching workplace, and someone touches you, it’s cool to let them know that you don’t like it.
4. If you touch people, stay within norms. A workplace like mine, where shoulder-touches are normal, doesn’t invite you to touch folks on the thigh, or face, or wherever.
5. If you touch someone within norms, and they give any indication of disliking it, you screwed up–minorly. Apologize and don’t do it again.
6. If someone touches you within norms, and you dislike it, let the toucher know, but don’t treat it like assault.

We’re humans. Under the best of circumstances–where we’re trying to make the world a more tolerable place for one another–we can still screw up. Be patient with each other, be clear about your needs with each other.

I have no problems with these.