Talk:Affection

Hm. I wonder if this wouldn't be more appropriate if merged with the What is Furry? article. Thoughts? -- Siege 10:33, 21 Nov 2005 (UTC)


 * Is "sensate" a word? I haven't found it anywhere, including this English-German dictionary. --Unci 11:12, 21 Nov 2005 (UTC)


 * According to this page, it is indeed a word - but perhaps not a widely used one? I'm not so sure about the merging, however, as not all furs are showing the kind of affectionism as stated here - wouldn't this apply mostly to the lifestylers of the fandom? --MKerris 12:15, 21 Nov 2005 (UTC)


 * Um, no, because I'm a Lyfestyler, but if you hug/touch/whateer me, I will most likely respond violently, and I know many lyfestylers like that. Equivamp 13:08, 14 May 2011 (EDT)
 * "Sensate" is the personal form of the root "sense", from which also comes "sensitive", "sensation", and others. To be sensate is to be responsive to sensation. -- Siege 00:20, 22 Nov 2005 (UTC)

My thoughts
I'm not sure how to work this into the article since it is, well, my thoughts and not necessarily those of anyone else, but ... relevant to affection ... there tends to be a bit more automatic faith and trust and, along with that, intimacy between those who are "furry." Someone you've never before met but see at a furry con feels more related than, say, someone you meet walking on the street near work. I do not think most furs who are openly affectionate with one another would necessarily be as openly affectionate in general public.

Yes, I know, not all furs are comfortable with this, and I'm not saying it is good or bad, but I do think society is making individuals become perhaps a bit too isolated from one another. Saying "Hello" to a complete stranger, unless its one's job working in a store or answering phones, seems to be going the way of the hug as something uncomfortably intimate as society grows colder and more isolated.

I'm not uncomfortable receiving hugs, but knowing there are some are "hug-phobes" gives me pause in offering them as easily; I don't want to offend. If I notice someone that I've not known before is physically affectionate with others, then I'm more inclined. I can understand that some are not comfortable with any touching -- some have been abused, some might not trust that there isn't an alterior motive for a hug or something -- but, by and large, I think the fact that members of the furry community are generally more affectionate with one another is not a bad thing in and of itself, nor do I think that the "commonly accepted" premise in general public to never touch beyond the very occasional handshake is necessarily a good thing. Of course, YMMV. --Chibiabos 16:41, 9 October 2006 (UTC)