How inappropriate in ‘inappropriate’ itself!

“How inappropriate” was her reaction? What is not a normal touch and what is, is very difficult to decipher? Amy Epstein Feldman, author of "So Sue Me, Jackass, a lawyer by profession shares that, "a person's individual sensitivities and need for personal space varies so widely, inappropriate touching -- from a happy slap on the back to a welcoming kiss on the cheek to an angry pointed finger in someone's chest -- are all the subject of complaints to management."!

So what can be termed as an inappropriate touch owing to the huge noise that Amber Rose made in the news bit blaming and highlighting Donald Trumps’ well talked over various ‘groping’ escapades?

“Physical proximity between the sexes is increasing,” share Akash Ohra, who runs a consultancy firm and is a liberal yet careful father. “But you can’t define these boundaries. Yes, women have to be careful to know where the touch becomes an attack on their personal space or makes them uncomfortable. Also, if the gesture is being repeated consistently, this is something that needs to be addressed.”

Under section 354 (outraging modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code, a session’s court seemed to have made a point, “Outraging a woman's modesty as mentioned in Section 354 will apply to crimes against women that stop short of penetration, in which event it becomes rape…..” but not really defined it very well.

In a recent incident, a family doctor was booked under under section 354 (outraging modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code for inappropriate touching a 22 years young student. But there is no way of knowing what is really considered inappropriate. Reminds of the movie Pink where it was evidently brought out that certain gestures indulged into even when a woman is explicitly saying ‘No’ should be taken seriously as violation of personal space. 

But are we not being touched all the time? By our boy kids, (I am aghast when boys reach out for the mother's bosom down right in public and women simply say, 'Baccha hai!!!') I wonder why does our modesty not get outraged at this point? The question is whether our young women and men are actually aware of their personal zones and have been taught at home how to decipher when something isn't right. I remember when I was in my monthly cycle, my younger brother knew and he was extremely considerate of my personal needs.

He has come out to be an extremely considerate husband. 

" It has to do with the level of confidence a woman holds as well. The same hand on the back can feel offensive, depending on who is putting that hand at you. But you need to know the difference and need to communicate,that somethings are not ok with you," adds Arti Manchanda, an ad-agency corporate who has dealt with enough such instances to know the difference between a good and bad touch. 

My discussion continues as I speak to young women, married women who seem to justify a recent Oxford University study where colour zones decide which parts of their bodies (when touched) make them feel uncomfortable. Married women, surprisingly were fine with being touched literally anywhere by their partners. 

I wonder how true is this in reality.....