Is it disrespectful?

[AhmedUK]

The other day someone I know was sitting watching TV, and her cat was on the floor, and she started rubbing the cat with the sole of her feet. It just looked weird to me and it looked a little "disrespectful" to me - is it, or am I just being fussy?!

[Crewella]

I think that if the cat was happy with it, then there's no problem.

[AhmedUK]

Fair point!

[bobbys girl]

Dear Ahmed, I'm sorry if you felt it was disrespectful, but I am sure it was not intended to be. I think it is a cultural thing. I believe in Japanese culture it is considered bad manners to sit with your legs crossed - they would HATE me!

I agree with Crewella. If the cat was happy with that, then there is no problem.

[Crewella]

I was once told off for sitting with my legs crossed in a church in Moscow, so it's obviously bad manners in Russia as well - I made sure I didn't do it again, but it was one heck of a struggle! I know the soles of your feet are a contentious area in some countries, especially in the east, but not here and I'm sure there was no disrespect intended.

The other way to look at it, of course, is that my cats have no problem with trampling the soles of THEIR feet all over me ........ perhaps there's something going on there I wasn't aware of ........

[sarie]

I stroke Clive with my feet all the time if I can't be bothered to move to get closer to him when we're both chilling. He enjoys it.. most of the time. When he doesn't he usually smashes a hole in my foot.

[MarkB]

Helen - bearing in mind cats ONLY sweat from their 'feet'...

Willow used to have really pongy pads

[AhmedUK]

Thanks for the replies - well, I am glad to hear cat-lovers don't consider it disrespectful, so I will no let it bother me in future!

[Crewella]

Mark, I always knew I came bottom of the pecking order here!