HAPTICS - Culture facts

Interested in some interesting facts that shed light on culture differences -

Touching is infrequent in western cultures which makes it even more significant when it happens. 

French and Italians for example, tend to touch frequently even continuously while walking, whereas the British prefer not to touch at all. At sporting events and especially in celebration of victory or success, such as scoring a goal or point, touching among male athletes is permitted whereas in the dressing room, a hands-off policy is the norm. 

India, Italy, Turkey, Greece, the Middle East, Spain, Russia and parts of Asia are cultures that accept touching more often whereas no touching cultures includes Germany, Japan, England, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Estonia, Portugal, Northern Europe and Scandinavia.

In the workplace, touching is fairly uncommon. We therefore use the handshake as a universal form of touching to avoid offending others. More intimate forms of touching sometimes occurs such as a friendly pat on the back to display encouragement but generally speaking, touching at work should be kept to a minimum. 

Cultures around the world, different perspectives on the subject of touching