It is a gesture of dominance that most men will accept and even enjoy, the same way as a dog accepts and enjoys being patted on the head. It&#x27;s not an aggressive act, but it is dominant. This is quite clear from the way men respond to it, which is almost universally the same: by relaxing. (Hence you describe it as relieving tension.) However try it with someone who thinks they are more important than you, and it will cause hostility.<p>There are other universal dominance signals. For instance, keeping eye contact without smiling. Or, interrupting someone who is speaking. Or, being late for a meeting. Or, laughing at someone who makes a mistake.