Yay! I used it right, then.
Oh, and if someone asks about the skin condition, you can always say, “I’d rather not discuss it”. You don’t owe anyone details about your health. Well, your doctor, and maybe your spouse, but that’s it.
See, that sounds so much nicer than, “mind your own beeswax,” which is what I would prolly eventually sputter after several long seconds of awkwardness.
I am typing out your suggestions as notes on my ipod. My mind goes blank on me when I’m surprised by social interactions. As an Aspie I grew up inside my head so I didn’t learn all these social rules and how to converse politely. I’m sure I’ve heard quotes like this used in movies/tv/books, etc, but things like that don’t stick in my head.
I wonder if I’d benefit from reading an etiquette book or something. And then just really studying it to look for patterns and stuff. I learn a lot from this place, too. 
Thanks again!
I would be careful about shaking a zombie’s hand too hard.
I thought ZPG had been cornfielded or committed during my most recent, er, hiatus. I just don’t hang out in the right threads. But she never bothered me and I’m glad she’s back/still here.
Positive: she’s consistent.
Negative: she’s consistently strident and doctrinaire in ways that’re like catnip to the chronic arguers in our midst. She probably doesn’t have the trolling intention, but her posts have the troll nature. Guaranteed hijack derailed into the swamp (after burning to the ground and falling over).
I’ve personally sigh and say “That’s ZPG_Zealot” and move on. Too bad some others can’t.
I think she once got on me for some of my character flaws, but many have and I’ve often deserved it so it’s hard to remember when or specifically why.
I grew up in a very touchy/huggy/kissy family. my communities have all been equally physical. Touching, to me, is a part of who I am.
That being said, there have been times when I’ve decided I did not want to shake someone’s hand - usually having to do with my personal feelings about that person. and there have been times when that person has continued to hold his (and it has always been a man in my experiences) hand out expecting me to relent and shake his hand. It definitely felt, in those moments, as if it was a demand of a hand shake and not a request. So, if I, as a person who is usually completely comfortable with physical contact of any kind, have felt uncomfortable with how someone has approached me, I think it’s perfectly reasonable for someone who is not comfortable with physical contact to actually feel threatened on occasion, or even often.
mc
Do you feel like the guy raped you by continually holding his hand out for a shake?
There is nothing at all in dispute about whether such a person is an asshole. Anyone who doesn’t take no for an answer, or who stands there with their hand out past the time of chance is being an asshole. No one has a right to touch your body. You don’t owe anyone your touch.
When it comes to the topic of handshakes, she’s insane, a liar, and a hypocrite. I would be remiss for not calling attention to this nifty gem. You’ll notice that she said she grabbed the man’s hands without his permission and without his offering his hands to her (Of course he didn’t offer his hand for a shake; otherwise, she’d’ve gone into her usual loony spiel). Her response to my calling her out on her hypocrisy was a tad less than underwhelming.
That’s an easy one. When someone offers his (or her) hand for a handshake, just start licking your own hand…
Hahahaha Why didn’t I think of that?
Does that include beggars whose stench comes exclusively from their clothing, who own a brand-new Vito and who can be seen in their store Mon-Sat? Because that’s the description of the female beggar who works the door at my mother’s parish on Sunday mornings.
I thought you were supposed to scratch your ass and then hold out your hand.
this is bullshit. Most of the robbing of tourists in Paris is pick pocketing, and a woman is easily strong enough to do that.
Years ago i vacationed in Europe with the friends. One friend grabbed the hand of a strange woman in Paris while it was in his pocket. He may have physically hurt her hand, but I can guarantee you it wasn’t sexual on his part. And I’m pretty sure she was more interested in his wallet than his junk.
What if they join in?
Easy - ask them what they are doing later, and if you can join them.
With a propensity to make up shit on the fly by incorporating ideas from others’ posts into her insane narrative.
Not sure if I have this right - is ZPG Zealot the same poster who once said that in taxi rides she’ll keep a gun in her purse to brandish on anyone who’s foolish to shake her hand?
Damn I wish I kept that post - I think I’m pretty close.