Holding hands

Two children holding hands

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

Whether friends hold hands depends on culture and gender: in 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 in the West to see teenage girls holding hands as a sign of friendship, though the same does not often apply for teenage boys.

George W Bush and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia holding hands struck a nerve with the American people.

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.

See also

• Physical intimacy
• Public display of affection
• Human chain