This BBC news story about predatory behaviour in Westminster suddenly opened my eyes to something I've always felt uncomfortable about, but never really articulated to anyone before. In particular this bit:
Ms Varley, who works as a parliamentary aide to Tory MP, Dehenna Davison, said incidents can include a "hand on the hip in a social setting".
"I [often think] am I reading too much into this? Are you just being friendly or are you touching me because you think you can?" she added.
Over the years I've always felt deeply uncomfortable at work and even with wider family settings when there's a group photo being taken and suddenly some bloke is grabbing me round the waist to 'pull me into the photo'
or draping an arm over my shoulder (with a hand dangling a bit to close to my breast) or in the small of my back (a bit too close to my bottom).
Apart from the unwanted touch thing, it seems there's also a power thing at play, as once someone puts an arm around you, they become the 'dominant' player as it were. It's funny to watch politicians playing this game -two men will shake hands, but then one will put a hand on the others shoulder and 'pull' him in towards him.
Anyone else have a similar feeling/ reaction these days?