Neon tranformer question.

I discovered if you lay two pieces of neon tubing together and connnect one end of each to the transformer, both will light dimly as there’s enough capacitance to complete the circuit.

Is this bad for the transformer / power supply in the short term, and if so does it make a difference if it’s an old magnetic type or a new switching type?

Is there any way an operating neon tube could cause a shock? Maybe if wearing a metal ring because of the capacitance? I remember when I was a little kid I was fascinated by a neon motel sign and wanted to touch it, and my father told me to touch towards the middle, not by the electrodes. But I wonder if he was just worried about the condition of the rubber covering the electrodes and wires rather than the actual tubing?

Yes. 10 to 15 thousand volts. Spark can jump a couple of inches. Possibly fatal. Don’t mess with neon light transformers if you don’t know what you’re doing.