Holding Hands

Holding hands. Yet another form of non-verbal communication. Hand holding is an intriguing form of communication. It is a continuous process that involves two people voluntarily holding hands for a particular reason; which include:

1. expressing friendship/love
2. physical intimacy
3. emotional support
4. guidance
5. to show togetherness
6. to urge to follow
   

My post today will cover mainly about my experiences with holding hands with other people, particularly with people of the opposite sex (keeps things interesting). Holding hands can be a tiresome process. Especially when it comes to holding hands when you're going out with a girl you like.

At first, you have to communicate to the girl that you intend to hold her hand. However, doing this verbally can make situations awkward, and therefore solely depends on behavior and signs. During my early years in high school, I remember doing so by swinging my arms when walking next to her, and then occasionally brushing against her hand when I do so. It never brought the same results each time I did it. Sometimes the girl would distance herself from me, thinking that she was walking too close to me (bummer). Sometimes I hit the jackpot; when I get a response from her hand constantly brushing against mine. (at this point I normally take this as a hint to hold her hand)

Getting the hands to hold yours isn't the ultimate challenge. There is also the part of letting go. Letting go implies different messages; thus making it another form of communication.

• What do you do if your palms are sweaty?

• What if she lets go of your hands because she saw something she liked and rushed at it when you're walking at a mall?

If she lets go off your hand, does it mean she rejecting you? Or is it just because her palms are getting sweaty? And then what kind of response should you give? If you don't hold her hand again after that, it would be safe, but then what if that wasn't her intention? As you can see, theres plenty of room for mis-communication to happen here.

In today's society, holding hands bring forth a variety of intended messages. So much so, it becomes confusing. For instance, take the following case:
1: "If I hold her hand on our first date, would that make things seem like its going too fast?"
2: "If I don't hold her hand on our first date, would she think i'm a coward?"

Holding hands is definitely an issue to be thought about.
Think about it.

Written by,
Goh Keng Yu @ Daniel