The cat is out of the bag, can we please let this piece of poppsych die? A surprisingly large number of manager wannabe type at a FAANG company made a point to try to pat me on the back in public. Please stop trying to symbolically stomp on people you'd like on your team, it's demeaning. Especially for yourself.
I think, as your posts demonstrate, reading too much in to any action is problematic. If a platonic touch is 'symbolic stomping' to you, perhaps the issue is larger than a single action.
Right. Except that none of my other coworkers tried the pat of the back trick. Except that said managers never did it in private. Just don't do it, instant respect losing move.
I know you’re being downvoted but I know EXACTLY what you mean. Hang in there.