Just good grief....on those rare occasions when I've felt uncomfortable

[Ninga]

I've just said..."ya, know, I'm ok if we don't hug" or if the hug or arm squeeze takes me by surprise I let them know "touching is not my personal favorite"...in most cases the offender looks surprised and quickly pulls back.

Geez, just let people know for goodness sake and not harbor resentment until they decide to run for president will ya?

[hlthe2b]

1. Exactly... When did we become such delicate flowers? I'd never have shied away from doing so at 16,

much less now.

I'm incredulous at both the accusers and THEIR own defenders.

[Tipperary]

2. I have said a million times, I am not a hugger.

Sometimes people look offended, but only for a minute...then it really is nothing.

[Blues Heron]

3. If the vice president rests his hand on your thigh at a sexual assault conference

what are you supposed to do? Who would they believe you or him? Major imbalance of power there. I think Joe hides his gropiness in plain sight - by being an equal opportunity groper he can just say he's a touchy guy. The thigh episode really takes the cake.

[Runningdawg]

4. You deck the person. Right then and there. You don't save up righteous anger for another day.

[Blues Heron]

5. you deck the VP?

I think not.

[Runningdawg]

9. LOL You don't know me....

[gratuitous]

6. Unless I had two broken arms

I suppose I could put my hand over his and gently remove the offending hand. Or, failing that, a light slap on the wrist followed by a wry/serious look that could go either way.

[Staph]

7. I've had that hand on the thigh a few times, usually under the table, from different offenders.

You pick up the hand, gracelessly, and move it back to the offender, with a tight little smile that says bugger off.

If he re-offends (and that has rarely happened to me!), you do it again and then kick his ankle.

I've never had a third offensive.

[nolabear]

8. Incredible. Not a soul has said he was "gropey."

It might have been clumsy but people put their hands on others’ thighs in a non threatening way all the time when the person is sitting by them and they want to show sympathy. All. The. Time.

You can choose to believe people were falling about in horror as he groped his way wildly through traumatized victims if you want but that is you, not the women who’ve brought up his contact and not him.