Do humans like being petted?

[NoxidKin]

I love to be petted, and hugged, but only when I'm comfortable with the person, and not around my shoulders or neck from behind.

I do like a thorough massage but I need to be in control, I hate someone coming up behind me and touching my shoulders.  Top of my head is fine.

And I pretty much love all hugs all the time.

It's nice to hear people talking about it openly.  :)

And it's a bit sad to me that quite a few people don't like it at all.  I wonder if they would, in a world with different social rules.

But whatever petting regime you prefer, I hope you recieve it.  ^.^

[Trench_Man]

Anecdotal but during my teens in the times where I've needed comforting from deep emotional or mental stress I remember my mom would hug me and "pet" my head softly and it was actually very comforting when she did that so while I can't say I'd like being petted frequently like a cat or a dog I can say with certainty it has a time and place for me.

[lakes]

Everyone else in the thread: There's some studies on this....
Me: Do massages count as petting? 

[Null]

You know, I've never really been pet, but I might like it depending on my mood and who's doing the petting. I think that my ideal petting conditions would be when I'm sleepy and by someone that I feel close with. I don't think I'd like being pet by someone that I'm not close to even if I know them.

[ceejaytwoyoshi]

I figured it'd depend on the person and preferred love language.