Hypothetically, if you were walking with your toddler and a stranger says hello and asks for a high five from your child, what would you do?

Tbh I live in Northern Ireland and this kind of interaction is a daily occurrence, even with people you have never seen before, they will act like they know you straight away with no reservations- I found it very strange at first because in England barely anyone is like this, but now I actually love it and will stop and have a chat with strangers myself and accept hugs from random toddlers 😅 but anyway I think it is a difference in cultures/personality sometimes that makes people have different perspectives on these interactions and I think the older generation also are particularly unreserved with strangers- but he’s your son and if you’re uncomfortable with it then that’s up to you and totally your call

I can understand why you're not so sure about it as I've wondered about it too but what I've realised is some of it is a generational thing as lots of older people will happily chat and enjoy interacting with children, whereas our generation are less likely too.
Saying that, since having my children, I'm much more.likely to smile and say hello to toddlers and babies myself.
If you have a feeling it's not OK or somethings not right, then follow that and do what makes you comfortable :).

This kind of subject is soooo difficult because you never ever know! My daughter will interact with every person she walks past but I am very mindful. I would say in regards to giving him a high five, it could just be totally innocent because interaction in their generation wasn’t like it is now but you have every right as the parent to say you don’t feel comfortable with this x

errr yeah i dont like that either. i guess being in the US, we try to be safe just in case.
people are always trying to touch my kids hands or something and i always move them away. it makes me so uncomfortable
my daughter has gotten friendly to where she’ll say hi to random ppl. and they’ll try to start conversation with her. like she’s 2, what do you have to talk about? u don’t even know her lmao.

I get he is being friendly but anyone I don’t knowtouching my LG gets me uncomfortable just because it’s not the norm these days

No I wouldn’t so many fruitcakes about you just don’t know with anyone , some people can seem so friendly and nice on outside but with no knowledge of background definitely not !

Thanks for all your opinions ladies! I know it is likely a generational thing, and some places are definitely more friendly and prone to it than others. I was just always told not to speak to strangers as a kid 😅

I suppose I'm also pretty mindful since covid, and touching a stranger's hand in that context without need or reason just feels wrong (we know what kids are like for putting their hands in their mouths too!)