[nofkayalk]

But touch is a basic human need, it's part of how we socialise. Why would God implant that need in us, then tell us it is wrong to act on it?

Sister, we can shake hands of the people of the same gender and hug them. We can hug and shake hands of close relatives of the opposite gender aunt/uncle, son/daughter, brother/sister, etc. However Muslims are generally not allowed to freely interact with anyone of the opposite gender, including talking frankly, laughing, joking and flirting.

You can shake hands with a Muslim woman. But even a Muslim woman cannot shake hands with a Muslim male.