Don't Touch My Kid!

I've got a question. Growing up in S. Texas and visiting the familia in Mexico it's very common (at least from my experiences) that people touch kids. Not in the Michael Jackson way, but you pat them on the head, touch their arms or feet if their infants, or even pick them up and carry them once in a while. Well, for the past 10 years, since I left the Valley, people have always told me that was weird - and of course, I've received more than one ugly stare by a parent (never from a Mexicano, that I recall). My friends always tell me not to do that or say, "did you just hit that kid of the head," or "did you just touch that kid." I reply, "yep." I don't touch the kids behind I believe I'm going to give them ojo, but maybe that's why most people I've seen do it, and maybe that's why I think it's ok. Sepa.

Have you experienced this? Is this weird? I can't say I blame parents for not wanting a complete stranger to touch their kid, but this was never an issue back home. Is it a difference in the culture or is it simply that in today's day and age, strangers are bigger freaks? What's the deal.