when a guy playfully punches a girl

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2005
when a guy playfully punches a girl
6
Thu, 12-08-2005 - 11:09pm

I've always been interested in looking at body language and the like (hey - I was a communication major), but I recently had an interesting experience, and don't know what to make of it. So I am throwing this out to the masses.

You know they say that when little boys would punch little girls, it was really because the little boy liked the little girl.

Is the same true for grown men?

I ask because last night, while with a group of friends, one good male friend (that I will admit - I wish we were more than just friends) as his way of greeting me, punched me in the arm. He actually came over and stood next to where I was sitting, leaned over, wound up, and punched my arm!

So, do grown men punch women that they like? I don't mean punch in a violent way, but more in a palling around sort of way. Or, if in such a palling around sort of way, does it mean he sees her as a pal or a buddy? Even a buddy like his guy friends?

I'm curious as to what other people think.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2003
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 10:07am

When a man punches somebody in the arm it means that they haven't learned how to kindly great somebody or shake their hand and say, "I'm very pleased to meet you."

Don't read too much into it. If this guy was into you he'd be asking your for your number or asking you out on a date.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2005
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 10:13am

Perhaps I should clarify.

If this was someone I had just meet, I would totally agree with you that it was just a guy with poor manners.

But this isn't someone I've just met, it's a guy I've known for a while and am pretty good friends with. Normally he greets me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. We've always had the sort of relationship where we joke and tease each other a lot, but he's never done anything quiet like this.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2003
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 10:27am

I guess I'm not one to appreciate a punch on the arm.

Perhaps you should ask him why he changed greeting styles.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2005
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 12:58pm

He relates to women like a 4th grader...and he's capable of having an interactive dynamic like one as well.

Erin
quickblade14@hotmail.com

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2005
Fri, 12-09-2005 - 2:48pm
Hmmm...a grown man punching you in a playful way is kinda like what my grown brother does to me sometimes. I guess he remembers when we were little and punched me around like in that movie "Lilo and Stitch", where Stitch punches Lilo all the time. When a guy likes you he will touch you gently and be tender and nervous about it, not be touching you like he would his male friends, unless he that IMMATURE.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-2003
Sat, 12-10-2005 - 2:05pm
I'm not crazy about the punch thing but in this case, yes, it seems harmless. As to whether it's like a little boy punching a little girl or pulling her pigtail, hard to tell.
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