Men are generally bigger and physically stronger than women,

[Uncle Joe]

not always but most of the time.

So as a man, if you want to understand what it is, put yourself in a woman's shoes.

You live in a world with a larger, stronger opposite gender, do you want them to give you a hug, brush your hair, kiss or more without your prior knowledge or approval?

Mutual consent is a whole different matter, but the bigger, stronger (generally speaking) gender shouldn't take it upon ourselves to send or give invasive physical language that encroaches on a woman's personal space without her approval.

This holds especially true for those in power.

[LexVegas]

1. K&R. nt

[Stare Decisis]

2. Ya let's do ass backward chivalry,

paternalistically infantilizing women that's progress.

I am a large person. I was when I was young and a young woman handed me my ass gift wrapped. This woman was smaller, but strong, well-trained, and completely swung at a someone she misidentified, but even still..protect women yes.

Assume they are incapable of protecting themselves, no. Women are not so delicate as to be placed in bubble wrap and sat on a shelf.

[LAS14]

4. I agree that infantilizing is what is going on here. nt

[Uncle Joe]

5. This isn't a question of "delicacy" but of empathy.

Thank you for the anecdotal evidence but it doesn't change the point of my OP.

[we can do it]

16. Mansplaned🙄

So this is ok?
https://mobile.twitter.com/Cynrancour/status/1112448455664959493

[Uncle Joe]

18. I am just a man but I have never viewed a woman putting her hand on my shoulder

for a selfie as an invitation to smell her hair and place a slow kiss on the back of her head.

Having a pic made with political leaders probably numbers in the millions but there is a mutual understanding between the parties, usually the woman or man supports at least in general supports the political stance of said politician.

It's not an invitation to intimacy.

[we can do it]

21. But it's ok for Bernie to do it. And for her to do to Joe.

Tired of the BS.

[tonedevil]

22. Do you think if a person...

allows one person to touch their shoulder they can never object if someone else does? I am not saying this is what happened, but yes it is entirely possible for it to be OK for Senator Sanders and inappropriate for VP Biden. As far as her touching the VP the appropriateness of that is determined by the VP. Why is this shit so fucking hard?

[LAS14]

3. Yeah, I'm fine with casual physical touching without prior approval.

Imagine a party where he has to say, "I really like what you have to say about this. May I lightly touch your arm?" Or, "Oh, wow! That's a new one, and really funny. Mind if I pat you on the back?"

Not in my world, please. I'm comforting myself that DU is a self select community and that most of the people at the next party I go to won't have adopted this ridiculous extreme of the #MeToo movement. It trivializes people who have been genuinely oppressed.

[Uncle Joe]

6. Swearing in ceremonies aren't parties. n/t

[LAS14]

7. You didn't add this nuance to your OP. Would you like to edit it? Make...

... a list of acceptable and non-acceptable venues?

[Uncle Joe]

8. I thought most people could tell the difference but even at a party

a man should be sure that the woman is receptive to physical contact, it's not rocket science.

[Demit]

9. I think the OP was assuming you'd seen the occasions where Biden indulges in his behavior.

The swearing-in videos are great examples of professional situations where the VP of the United States—the person with power, great power—fondles and strokes and squeezes the women and young girls in attendance.

[tonedevil]

23. There seems to be an assumption...

that power differential makes no difference in this situation.

[whopis01]

14. How about grabbing someone's chin?

[athena]

17. Believe it or not, some women find this kind of behavior offensive.

I don’t appreciate it when a man touches my arm or pats me on the back. It’s almost always patronizing at best and vaguely sexual at worst. And regardless of what men on DU may think about it, a squeeze on the waist is never welcome. The only person who ever did that to me was a sexist bully who came up from behind and was clearly trying to make me feel intimidated by showing me who was boss. As for a man resting his hand on a woman’s thigh, are we seriously arguing that this is OK? If it would be weird to do it to a man, how is it acceptable to do it to a woman you’re not sexually involved with?

But go ahead and mansplain to women that we are wrong to not want to be treated like pieces of meat, and that the only thing that matters is the man’s stated intent. Our feelings couldn’t possibly matter in the country that thinks empathy is a weakness and worships bullies.

[LongtimeAZDem]

10. In any other context, if you say that men are stronger than women, you will be called a misogynist

[Uncle Joe]

11. Do you disagree with my point?

[LongtimeAZDem]

12. No, I'm observing that your point is only allowed when used to attack a man. Otherwise, it's taboo.

[Uncle Joe]

13. I'm not attacking men, the OP is a call for empathy.

[cwydro]

15. Not sure how physical size matters in "civilized" contexts,

such as where these various “incidents” took place.

[Gothmog]

19. I really like this statement by Joe Biden

Link to tweet

[Uncle Joe]

20. For once you and I agree, I believe it was good apology.

[McCamy Taylor]

24. This is not a size matter. It is a power matter.