Does The Power Of Touch Affect You?
By villageanne
@villageanne (8553)
United States
June 22, 2007 10:40pm CST
I had a friend who was a “sampler”. The company she worked for sent her to stores to give samples of their products. These products were food. She had to go through training to be able to do this. In the course of her training, they encouraged touch. They encouraged touch on the arm or the hand when you were giving the sample. Their theary was that more people trust you and will purchase your product when you touch them. She said that it was amazing how true that process proved to be. I later gave out samples at the store where I worked, without any training of course. I remembered what she had told me about touching when giving the sample. I put it to the test and I found the on most of the customers, it did work. Amazing that one of the gifts that does not cost us a penny may have wonderful affects on others.
I used to work at a produce dept and the elderly used to come in just to chat. They loved to be hugged when they arrived. They said that I just made their day when I gave them their weekly hug. I grew to love these people. They were so lonely and a touch is all it took to make them feel loved. I think we all need touch in our life. To be touched by the people we care about gives us a sense of protection from the world. When we are having a bad day, a hug can give us the strength to deal with it in a stronger way.
Touch is one of the most powerful expressions of love, breaking down barriers and bonding relationships. Touch changes our physical and emotional states and make us more receptive to love.
Have you ever noticed that you are more trusting when it comes to those who touch in some small way? I know that in today’s world, we are often afraid to touch anyone for fear of it being taken the wrong way. But does that make it any less needed?
7 people like this
17 responses
@dhouston (417)
• United States
23 Jun 07
Actually, I'm less trusting. A stranger having the effrontery to touch me makes me nearly rabid. Do **not** touch me!!! Once a sampler touched my aarm and I dropped the sample on the floor and walked off shaking with the offence. Once a real estate man lost the business of DH and me because he kept pawing my arm. Nor do I consider myself unusual; one of my closest friends hates it even more than I do. Another hates being touched so much that she won't even get a manicure at the hairdresser's, which I will. And if a total stranger tried to hug me, they'd be sorry. I think your friend's company needs to be extremely careful about telling the samplers to touch people--one of them will get slapped one of these days.
2 people like this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
23 Jun 07
Touching and hugging is important, there is no doubt about that, studies have been done on growth and blood pressure and all kinds of things that show that human physical contact is important.
But we must be careful, some people prefer there own private space, some people feel uncomfortable with strangers, so I think it is important to observe the person first, how they react to you and their own body language.
It might be better to start slow, with a touch on the shoulder or arm or even a handshake and go slowly.
Of course, we also have principals that ban all physical contact including high-5s. What do we do about them?
2 people like this
@cblackink (969)
• United States
25 Jun 07
You are so right. It really helps many people to just get a hug. I guess the problem nowadays is that people are afraid.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
23 Jun 07
I love human touch, but not from strangers...I need to know person first. But I do believe in human touch, I like to hug people, this is great way to give someone good energy....
@AskAlly (3625)
• Canada
23 Jun 07
I could not agree with you more. When my kids were in school they had an adopt a grandparet program at the "old folks" home. We went once a week and we brought lotions along just to give some hand massages while we were chatting with them. Both age groups loved it. It gave the kids something to do while they chatted.
It is a shame that there is such a negative stigma attached to touching. We all need it so bad.
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
23 Jun 07
I don't like anyone i don't know touching me. it makes me feel uncomfortable. Even in a crowd I don't like being near others. I have to find a place where I don't get touched. I do know that alot of people do like to be touched. But I am on of the few who don't. It would not make me a buy a product anymore by being touched than by not.
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
23 Jun 07
Well like you say it is dangerous today but no it does not make it any less needed
I always hug my Children and I always touch the man in my Life even if just give a gentle stroke on his arm he can feel my affection for him just with that gentle Touch when he touches my Hair or my arm it is the same I can feel his for me
So yes it is a good thing but it is dangerous now as to many People take it the wrong way
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
23 Jun 07
Great topic Village! The need for touch has been proven over and over again in studies. For instance, babies have been tested in two groups, one that got food/water/diapered and held, and another group that got only the food/water/diapers...and of course, the child who was held had much more growth in many ways. As for adults, MOST love touch, however, life has a way of changing us from the time we are an infant to adulthood. As the poster above mentioned, there are those to whom touch is now a negative thing. Having worked mental health for years, yes, in that population one is supposed to ask before touching. Sadly, on the streets and in daily life, we have no idea who needs to be asked and who doesn't! Yet, conversely, studies prove that touch is a powerful healer. Countless studies show that patients who are touched heal faster than those who are not touched. What a conundrum! What do I do, I simply let me gut guide me! I haven't had a real problem yet, and I make the decision whether to touch or not countless times every day!
1 person likes this
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
23 Jun 07
This makes so much sence when you think about it . In life we feel that someone cares when they take the time to smile at us and I can especially see how the elderly would love to have someone show they cared by a simple touch . There are so many in life that have no one left to care about them . I realized this when I used to work for a market research firm . Many people would be upset that we were calling but the elderly would be so excited that someone had actually called to talk to them and they didn't care what the call was about . Just to be able to connect somehow with the world and what was going on around them . It constantly amazed me when I would get someone on the phone who would tell me their whole life story because no one had called them in months . Makes you wonder how this could happen to anyone .
Even those who are not elderly would like to know that someone cared and a simple touch shows compassion and caring for someone else . In the world today we are taught so often not to trust each other that we often assume the worst . A touch is a way to connect with another individual and show them that there are still caring people in the world and it is harder not to care for somone that you touch even if you only see them once a week .
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
23 Jun 07
The only time I liked being touched is from my husband or son and family members. I get uncomfortable if I get touched by strangers. I have been caught off guard a couple of times when I have been introduced to others and they would reach out and try to hug me. I don't like to be rude so inturn I hug back even though I still feel a little uncomfortable.
1 person likes this
@dlkuku (1935)
• United States
23 Jun 07
I don't really like strangers touching me, it makes me feel uncomfortable. But I do touch the people I know and care about, my husband, my children, grandchildren and close friends and other family.
I especially love to hold my husband's hand, there is something so sweet and intimate about it that it makes me feel closer to him.
@poetshannon (113)
• United States
23 Jun 07
after reading this i think back to all our customers that come in the bank most of the elderly people always seem to like touch your hand when you do there transaction to say thank you.me i am not relly a touch type person i don't like to be touch by strangers
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
24 Jun 07
I've never really noticed it with myself, actually just the opposite I'm very uncomfortable with strangers touching me even in the manner you said. I am however a 'hugger' and am very comfortable hugging friends and family.
@dragonprincess99 (90)
• United States
24 Jun 07
Yes, I believe the theory of touch. I am a touchy person, I find myself always having to touch people when I talk to them. I think that it builds a stronger bond with people. Even with my kids I am almost hugging them when we talk all the time. They are the same way as me always touching and hugging people.
@mariphill88 (21)
• United States
24 Jun 07
It is very important to touch and show love. Your friend did receive training, and the people were being addressed, talked to, and her touch added a bond which made the people at ease. They weren't confronted by a sales pitch.
I have worked with the elderly, and when they are in need, it helps so much. With some pts. until you touch them, they don't know which worker you are. I know it has brought me to my senses instead of brooding, which I shouldn't ever do. Touching my child is a natural instinct, and I am careful he knows I respect him as a good person and a nice young man. He likes to hug, no kisses. He is past the awkward, I have to be on my own thing, where he couldn't hug well, it was a few months, although he'd pat my shoulder, and say I have things to think about. it's a natural growing thing with him as with all people.
Touch is very important, and does so much more than telephone calls with people.
