Holding hands

Holding hands is a form of physical intimacy involving two or more people. It may or may not be sexual.

History

Cultural differences

George W Bush and Abdullah of Saudi Arabia holding hands struck a nerve in the US.

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, then Crown prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia held hands in public with then American president George W Bush ^[1]

Purposes

File:President Direct Election Movement Ming-te Shih Yi-hsiung Lin and Hsin-liang Hsu.jpg

Taiwan political figure Shih Ming-te with other political activists.

People hold each others hands, or one person takes the hand of another person for the following reasons or purposes:

in various rituals:
- handshake
- in certain religious services, to pray
- in various religious 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
for safety when crossing the street
while sky diving
to rescue in a dangerous situation by pulling someone to safety

Gallery

A man and a woman holding hands with fingers intertwined

A man and a woman holding hands with fingers intertwined
Walking children holding hands
People holding hands in Bosnia, summer 2007

References

^ [1]

[1] [1]

[1]

History

Cultural differences

Purposes

Gallery

See also

References