I just offer the back of my hand, below the height of her head, a couple feet away, then hold still. To the cat, it's a very non-threatening position, and they can decide whether to engage or not. (I usually get to pet the kitty!)

I was at a shop like that, kitty rolled over and showed his belly so I gave him all the belly rubs and picked him up when he started purring. He rubbed my face.

The owners were like "He... he doesn't DO that!"

Yeah, well, he does for me!

Would still try to pet. Can't tell me he is soft and cute and expect anything else

Either the owners of the bookstore are much less literate than I would expect or the cat is much more.

Actually, he is a cat. I am a wolf.

If you put your hand out, they'll either sniff you and go in for a head rub or turn their head away or hiss.

That's a great indication of what kind of cat you're dealing with... sometimes. Other times, they'll run up to your leg and try to bowl you over with a cuddle. Then when you lean down for a scritch, they'll try and bit your arm off.

My ex's family had a cat like that who "didn't like people" and would just hide out up stairs in the bedrooms all day. I ran into her when she was coming down to eat one day and it took literally 2 minutes to get her to come sit in my lap and get pet. Her family was all looking at me like wtf... She came out to hang out with us all the time when I was over after that.

we'll see abt that

I feel like His name must be Charles. Never Charlie.