I think one of the social interactions I find most interesting is people who are together (friends, relationships, etc) and who do not want to express it through their physical actions. An example of this is when two friends go to a movie theater and sit a seat apart from each other. They find it socially unacceptable to sit next to each other. How has it become wrong for two people who are friends to not be close to each other? Personally, I am very physical with people who I consider friends. I hug them, I rub their shoulders, I sit next to them, I lay on them, and whatnot, and I will do this in public.
We have beliefs and values and we attract people who share them. A by product of this is the physical interactions. And these will come, with some normal uncomfortabilities, naturally. When it is truly time to give your friend/partner/etc a hug, you will know. When it is time to hold hands (even with just friends!), you will know.
On the verse side, I never do a physical action that is meaningless. I do not hug people who I do not care about. I love physical contact, but every contact I have means something.
This is not a right to throw your physical expression in the faces of others, but I see no reason why people should not be able to express their feelings for each other. If two guys want to sit next to each other, go for it! I have had so many of my friends in my lap in public places, I cannot count the number any more.
Physical contact is an important aspect of our mental relationships, and I have and will say time and time again, do not repress what is natural. Society has held down what is natural for too long and it’s time to learn that it is okay to sit close to someone you care about.