Touching, hugging , kissing

I suspect this may be repetition for many, but how can I politely avoid the hugging and kissing that goes on these days.

I cringe inwardly and sometimes outwardly when people hug and kiss me without consent. I hate it. I go rigid. I have read that some on the spectrum find this sort of thing painful. I just hate it.

I saw a pregnant lady, out, in the summer, wearing a t shirt saying hands off my bump. I would love to have a t shirt saying "hands off me". Looking back, I suspect my parents were on the spectrum, and none of us are touchy feely.

More distant relatives and my husbands family are, but now friends, aquaintances and all and sundry seem to hug and kiss. Weddings and funerals are a nightmare.

I try to put up with their behaviour, but I do cringe and have attracted remarks like "have I got bad breath or something". It makes me uncomfortable, angry and embarrassed. I need a way of telling people politely that this sort of contact is not for me. Urrgghh

Does anyone share this revulsion and if so, how do they deal with it?

Parents
  • The only way I have found so far is to back off claiming infectious illness. But I don't want people to think I'm permanently ill. I need a stick on cold sore that I can whip out of a pocket, when I see likely offenders coming. Smile

    On a more serious note, perhaps I should research styles of greeting on the internet and see if I can come up with an acceptable alternative. I havn't tried that.

    Thanks for the sympathy from all those who replied. If I come up with a solution, I will share it.

Reply
  • The only way I have found so far is to back off claiming infectious illness. But I don't want people to think I'm permanently ill. I need a stick on cold sore that I can whip out of a pocket, when I see likely offenders coming. Smile

    On a more serious note, perhaps I should research styles of greeting on the internet and see if I can come up with an acceptable alternative. I havn't tried that.

    Thanks for the sympathy from all those who replied. If I come up with a solution, I will share it.

Children
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