Why do I act in this manner?

Question

Whenever I'm in church (of all places), I'll see one of my male friends (My best male friend, in fact.) and I'll start to roughhouse with him (playfully). Before I start roughhousing, I'll say something like "I'm gonna beat you up.", but with a really playful sounding tone (So he knows that I'm not serious.). He doesn't mind that I roughhouse with him. The "fights" only last about 10 seconds. In fact, I feel as if it's a way to have fun and to bond with him (NOT IN THAT WAY!!!). Is there any psychological/evolutionary theory as to why young men sometimes act like this? Competition? Aggression? Or am I just weird?

Answer 1

Yes it's proven. It's one of the ways boys play (play fighting) but, unconciously the reason for the activity is develop a certain ability. for example almost all mamals learn how the basic form of fighting and defence through play fighting with some of their own kind (look the dogs play fighting together, they look like fighting but their not).

Answer 2

Of course you are not weird. It might be a way of showing dominance, which is a common trait amongst males, in almost every species. But this is done in a playful manner which is another trait. I wish I understood psychology better so I could explain my theory!

Answer 3

There's nothing weired about it, it's natural thing. That little play reflects how close and how bonded you both are, but it most importantly reveals the level of trust you both have for each other.

Answer 4

Probably cos you are in different environment with him than usual and because neither of you have spent a great deal of time together in a sacred place.

Your friendship is based on the outside world not in religion.

Best wishes. UK

Answer 5

I think this is the way you show your friendship. I don't see anything wrong with it based on the way you have described it.

Make sure you are not bullying. Maybe you see it one way and others differently. For me it sounds normal but I know only what you said.