Advice for men out there.
From a touchy feely huy myself:
If you wouldn't say that to a dude or touch a dude that way, at school, work or whatever, then apply the same standard to women. If you become friendly with co-workers or whatever, let your female co-worker dictate how they want to greet you. Many of them will initiate the hug themselves. Others won't and that's cool too.
If you feel that in order to comfort a person you need to go beyond a small pat on the shoulder, offer a hug. It might be taken or it might not. You are just there to help.
We all need kindness. It's just a matter of offering it in diverse ways, because that's the way humankind is: diverse.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
Just check out a crowded elevator. Men will encroach closer into a woman's space than they would into another man's space. Women and men stand closer to each other than women do other women and men do other men.
It is just the opposite in most other countries especially theocracies. Religions seem to encourage women to stand closer to other women and men to stand closer to other men.
It's a generalization. But it explains why we guys will pat and touch women where we wouldn't do it to a man.
Your suggestion is a good rule of thumb. But I'm still going to hug my daughter and my son. 
