Holding hands
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Holding hands is a form of non-sexual physical intimacy involving two or more people.
Whether friends hold hands depends on culture and gender: in the Western culture this is mainly done by women and small children (sometimes for authoritative control, not affection), spouses and romantic couples. In Arab countries, Africa and some parts of Asia it is done also by men and/or boys for friendship and/or a sign of respect. It is also fairly common to see teenage girls holding hands as a sign of friendship.
The custom of men holding hands can cause discomfort in societies unused to it, as it did with Americans, when, in 2005, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia held hands in public with George W Bush [1]
Purposes
People hold each others hands, or one person takes the hand of another person for the following reasons or purposes:
- in various rituals:
- to express friendship or love
- to enjoy physical intimacy (not necessarily of erotic character)
- for emotional support
- to guide (a child, a blind person, in darkness, etc.)
- to urge to follow
- to keep together (in a crowd or in darkness)
- to help the other walk, stand or climb up
- to dance
- to maintain one's balance
- to arm wrestle
- when crossing the street
- during a meal
- while sky diving
- to rescue in a dangerous situation:
- pulling someone to safety
- to send out a signel that u want to have sexual intercourse with them
See also
