on being "poked" by strangers...

Can honestly say I've never been poked by a stranger before, but tapped on the shoulder/back (to my surprise), yes. It was a well-dressed guy standing in line behind me at a Tim Hortons store. I wish I'd expressed to him my surprise (& disgust) before heading to the cashier. There was no good reason for it - he should have just used his voice to let me know another till was open. I don't know why this woman did this. Was she begging from you, or simply due to her insanity, randomly poke people around her? If you knew she was insane, & was headed towards you, couldn't you have done a much better job of avoiding that experience, like running to another part of the road if it so offends you? I'm thinking, though, in the spirit of Christmas, maybe you could apply some tolerance. What she did wasn't well-mannered, but she's not all there mentally. Be the bigger person, & apply some understanding. At least, you weren't physically hurt.

these beggars are really like that. just thinking about would really be annoying. who knows what they have been touching and whatnot. then they're going to touch it to you? we see plenty of them here. often time they go to the trick of telling you it is for their food. when they won't accept it if you gave them food. they want money instead. most times me and my fiance think their is some gang behind it. there is some "big man" who collects all what they have begged for that day. but scam or not, we don't give to these types.

I believe it's the aura we carry about ourselves my friend, I am sensitive, caring, warm, and vulnerable, and people can tune into this, they see you as an easy touch, someone that will be gullible or weak, and easily manipulated. I have been bullied for most of my life, been in two abusive relationships, why? Because people see that I am easy prey. Yet I am 6 foot 2, muscular, it didn't make sense. After extensive therapy I learnt it was the signals and body language I was giving out. Study your body language, maybe even get a book out about it, I find it very useful my friend, most of the language we give out either knowingly or unknowingly is through how we carry ourselves in public and the aura we give off to others to say that we are easy prey, easy victims ripe for the plucking, sad but true, you do learn the hard way, but in the end you wise up!

Poking bugs the heck out of me. Even after they remove that offending appendage, I can still feel it digging into my skin. Just drives me up a wall. Another thing is those people who start to rub on your arms and shoulders as they speak to you. I have noticed its among a certain culture of young men who do that here. Maybe its normal for them, but its sure creepy for me.

Generally speaking I don't like anyone to touch me but I won't make a big deal out of it (but try to stay out of crowds if possible). But I also am the one who idiots seem to like to touch. For example: I am at the mall shopping with a daughter high pregnant and an idiot comes to touch my belly and stroke it and asks me to come with him to the parking place blah blah because he is doing some investigations about ??? for school (yeah sure). My daughter is standing next to me sooo surprised. Beggars seldom poke or touch me although they might follow me (not my country but if I am abroad) which can be very annoying as well.

Whenever beggars poke me I make very clear that I DON'T like it all! It's funny in a way because I only experience this behaviour in the Philippines. But when I go to the market there's always thi man who doesn't have real hands and fingers. Yes, I always give him some. Because he's helpless AND he does not have this annoying 'poke' behaviour.

Sometimes I think this happens by accident, and then there could be other times where it happens when someone, especially if they are homeless might be trying to seek for some attention as well. Personally, yes, this is not the Best way for someone to try and vie for someone's attention and if you do it, you should apologize as well. But to just feel like they might be doing it just to do it, makes you wonder about that person for sure.

it is normal that you do not like to be touched by strangers. most of us consider our body as very private, thus we do not allow others whom we are not that close touch it. however, for me, i do not mind being poked by stranger who do not mean or without intent or malice. accidental or non-malicious touch can be let go and shrug off such as that of a "crazy" woman.

Poking someone is rude, plain and simple. And I can't blame you for getting irritated at those who poke. I don't think you look gullible. It's probably that you're not intimidating enough for these beggars. I think that's why they poke and pester you, thinking that you're too nice not to react firmly to them and give them money.

I have experienced them , too. And just like you, I also felt uncomfortable being touched by a stranger. Well, I could not blame them for doing that because you will notice how desperate they are to have money by begging. A single poke, might make me uneasy, but I'll let it pass. But doing it more than 2 times when I have already clearly stated "NO", well, I would be really mad about it.

Oh my i have been through this. yes the children(beggars) come and touch i get irritated. It happened many times. I say them don't touch me. But no they don't listen at all. Moreover they don't take what ever we give they demand for money and how much they want. No plans worked till now.