Physical contact is part of standard getting and bonding for many humans. The problem is when we either weaponize it (handshake grip contests) or when we, once again, impose the “normative” model on everybody.

I wonder what it would be like if I grew up in a culture where men routinely did the air kiss thing to each other or held hands in public as friends. Would it have changed my attitude towards contact and made me more of a touchy person? Or would my life just be even more uncomfortable than it is now?

Anyway. I like stuff like these bands, because it allows people to set their own boundaries in a way that other people can see and understand. It’s also a reminder that when you are dealing with other people, it’s worth stopping and thinking about those things, even when you’re not in the situation with wristbands. Look for cues. Go slowly.

I don’t think we’re going to change some peoples basic desire for physical contact as part of a greeting. What we can do is, normalize consent and normalize respect.