Why do some guys insist on slapping your shoulder or tapping you?

[Jagged0]

I don’t know if they think it’s friendly or inserting dominance but the only thing it does is annoy me

 

[Gonthar]

It's like a power move.

 

[SkinjobCatastrophe]

It doesnt mean anything, its just a social thing like shaking hands or saying hello. Its usually a certain kind of guy who does it, like a 30-65 year old grilling in the backyard “hey son just walk in there wearing a suit and ask for a job!” dad type

 

[Deleted member 11414]

if somebody even briefly touches me i just assume they wanna fight me

 

[Clark69]

I don’t know if they think it’s friendly or inserting dominance but the only thing it does is annoy me

they're just being friendly, mate. don't think too deep

 

[Deleted member 9699]

They're being friendly but it also irritates me and when I tell people not to do it I just seem like a colossal asshole.

 

[Gonthar]

It doesnt mean anything, its just a social thing like shaking hands or saying hello. Its usually a certain kind of guy who does it, like a 30-65 year old grilling in the backyard “hey son just walk in there wearing a suit and ask for a job!” dad type

It comes off as patronizing and condescending, there are even manuals about body language who recommend to do this to appear more friendly and familiar, when in reality it can have the opposite effect.

 

[SkinjobCatastrophe]

It comes off as patronizing and condescending, there are even manuals about body language who recommend to do this to appear more friendly and familiar, when in reality it can have the opposite effect.

Thats true, I think its kind of vestigial from a previous generation, in modern times people are more worried about personal space and more sensitive about things which might seems too direct. It can definitely come off as condescending and patronizing but I think its just that guys who do it dont understand that the standards are different now and you cant pat guys on the back like you could in 1940