Is it offensive or impolite to pat someone on one's shoulder?

Celery wrote on 08 Jul 2004:
[nq:1]Is it considered polite to pat someone on one's shoulder so as to greet someone (please be noted that both of them are male.)? Is this act considered offensive or harassing in some cultures? How will you react if someone pats you on your shoulder?[/nq]
It all depends on who it is, doesn't it. For a stranger to pat me on the shoulder would be offensive. Fo

[nq:1]Is it considered polite to pat someone on one's shoulder so as to greet someone (please be noted that both ... in some cultures? How will you react if someone pats you on your shoulder? Thanks in advance for your input[/nq]
The act itself is not impolite, but it may be impolitic. There are some people - and I am one of them - that really don't care to be touched by anyone other than smal

[nq:2]Is it considered polite to pat someone on one's shoulder ... you on your shoulder? Thanks in advance for your input[/nq]
[nq:1]The act itself is not impolite, but it may be impolitic. There are some people - and I am one ... them by backing away and not reciprocating hugs. It's worked well so far since I've never met a "made man".[/nq]
Generally, the shoulder and the arm are safe pla

[nq:2]Is it considered polite to pat someone on one's shoulder ... you on your shoulder? Thanks in advance for your input[/nq]
[nq:1]The act itself is not impolite, but it may be impolitic. There are some people - and I am one of them - that really don't care to be touched by anyone other than small children and immediate family members.[/nq]
When I was in medical school one of our most su

[nq:1]Generally, the shoulder and the arm are safe places for one adult male to touch another, when necessary*, even if ... . CB[/nq]
Watching John Kerry lightly embrace his newly appointed running mate, I was reminded of Dan Quayle trying to hug George Bush père right after Quayle's candidacy was announced, and Bush being apparently annoyed by it.

Different strokes for different pres

[nq:1]Celery wrote on 08 Jul 2004:[/nq]
[nq:2]Is it considered polite to pat someone on one's shoulder ... will you react if someone pats you on your shoulder?[/nq]
[nq:1]It all depends on who it is, doesn't it. For a stranger to pat me on the shoulder would be ... relationship. Generally, I don't like anyone not in my immediate family to put their hands on me for any reason.[/nq]
I'm

[nq:1]I am equally uncomfortable if the other person is male or female.[/nq]
As opposed to what, Coop? (Hi Liebs!)

[nq:1]When I was in medical school one of our most successful clinicians taught us that when on hospital rounds we ... day when we went into her room the woman looked around, spotted that medical student and said, "Good morning, doctor."[/nq]
I think you've struck on it! It's OK as long as it's the opposite ***!

As long as a guy isn't too touchy-feely I don't mind a "hello" or "goodby

[nq:1]When I was in medical school one of our most successful clinicians taught us that when on hospital rounds we ... day when we went into her roomthe woman looked around, spotted that medical student and said, "Good morning, doctor." Larry[/nq]
So that med student got the lady's attention, and the rest of you were just background, eh? It rings true a hostpital patient sees so many doctors,

[nq:2]I am equally uncomfortable if the other person is male or female.[/nq]
[nq:1]As opposed to what, Coop? (Hi Liebs!)[/nq]
Is this a variant on Victor Borge's announcement (in his act) that he had three children, one of each?
Back to the topic I have a deaf cow orker, and she prefers to be tapped on the shoulder rather than have someone go through contortions or wave a hand in her f