#interaction tips

If they are using a coping tool, DO NOT INTERRUPT OR TOUCH THE COPING TOOL. What that does is counteracts the coping method by associating that tool with a situation that causes anxiety. When this happens consistently, that tool can then eventually become useless as a coping tool, which is NOT GOOD. Particularly if that individual has no other coping methods that are effective.

If you are interested in the coping tool/method, wait until it's no longer being used to ASK ABOUT IT. Do not ask WHILE reaching out to touch/pick up/intrude on the individual's space. If you ask when the individual is calm and not in need of the tool, they will most likely be happy to display/offer you to take a closer look. 

You know how, at parties and visits at someone’s house, cats will (generally) avoid everyone who is trying to get their attention, and rub up against/settle into snuggling with the people that don’t like cats/are allergic?

This is because to cats, direct eye contact is considered aggression.  They’ll put up with it (to a certain point) from people they know, but will (generally) avoid strangers who make extended, direct eye contact.

Whereas the people who make brief eye contact (if any at all), the cat considers to be non-aggressive and “safe.”

So what I’m saying is, if you want cats to be friendly towards you when you’re over at someone’s house, try ignoring them at first.

And if you don’t want the cats near you, stare them down.*