ticklemepls
Verified
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2008
- Messages
- 1,624
- Points
- 38
Respectfully, I think the "consent decrees" get taken too far in these conversations, to a level that not even the people writing them even believe themselves -- or follow in their own lives. Is there anyone on this forum who on every date they've ever been on first said, "may I touch you on the arm while making a joke?" followed by, "may I put my arm around you?" followed by "may I now hold your hand?" followed by "may I now kiss you here at your doorstep?" followed by "may I tickle you for a 1/2 second?" Because if someone didn't get consent at every point, they believe they'd get punched in the face at any of those stages? Let us know if you're that guy!
The reality is that whether it's holding hands, a kiss on a first date, or a quick little 1/2 second tickle, most people use non-verbal, body language queues from other human beings to decide whether another person is likely to be receptive to any of this flirtation/courtship-level physical contact. No one alive gets verbal consent for each of these things -- the normal thing is simply to understand human queues, not be an asshole and be willing to back off if someone seems uncomfortable.
Granted, I'm not talking about rape, molestation, sexual assault or anything else that would involve the criminal justice system -- I'm just talking about the simple examples I mentioned. After all, I think we all know what a police station desk clerk would likely do if someone walked in to report a single unwanted kiss, or a single 1/2 second tickle. They wouldn't care, nor should they. Nor should we. I feel like perspective in these conversations sometimes gets lost in a vortex of political correctness about "consent for everything." No. Just don't be an asshole. That's my point of view.
The difference is in the list you provided you KNOW the person- key word.... KNOW. This whole discussion is touching a STRANGER aka someone you do not know. They are two completely different situations in which people react differently.