Question

2. How does the US compare with the rest of the world regarding casual touch? How is touch related to our needs?

Answer 1

There is a cultural difference in maintaining the average personal distance. It varies from culture to culture. Usually, Americans need more personal space than in other cultures. Physical touch in the form of the handshake when people initially meet or part is acceptable. Many people tend to avoid physical contact while speaking or it may lead to discomfort. Touching is considered to be too intimate for casual acquaintances. Many people consider even casual touching is inappropriate except among inmates. Most of the Americans avoid physical contact with strangers in general. Generally, the United States has a touch-averse culture.

As social beings human consider physical touching as a basic need to express love and belongingness. The lack of love and touch can lead to psycho-social problems. Touch is considered as a fundamental mode of human interaction. The inseparable mind-body relationship makes the touch an inevitable one in human life. This is the principle behind therapies like massage, chiropractic, physical therapy.

Touch has an important role in reducing stress, heart rate and blood pressure. Even the level of cortisol in the body can be reduced by the touch. Many psychosomatic illnesses can be managed by effective therapeutic touch without medicines. The touch can assist in the development of hormone-like oxytocin in the body and which improves mood.