It means they love you so much they want to be physically intimate with you.

Giving affection means intentionally communicating care through words, touch, kindness, encouragement, or simply being present. It’s a way of saying, “You matter to me, and I’m glad you’re here.”

Giving someone you love attention means offering them my genuine presence, not just being physically nearby. It means listening, noticing how they’re doing, remembering what matters to them, and making space for their feelings and needs. At its best, attention isn’t about control or obligation, it’s a freely given recognition of someone’s worth.

Attention, to me, is about time.

Time is probably the most expensive currency we have. We can earn more money, replace things, recover from mistakes , but we never get a minute back. So when I willingly give someone my time and attention, I’m giving them something genuinely finite.

Affection is a little harder to define. I think it’s the way we let someone know that they matter to us, through warmth, closeness, touch, words, humour, kindness, or simply being there.

Attention says, “I’m giving you my time.”

Affection says, “And I want you to know why.”

I'm 100% a penguin.

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Affection with my son is hugs and a reassuring hand on his back. Tucking him in and kisses good night. Sitting beside him and making eye contact when he talks.

With a partner it's magical touches and firm grabs, snuggles and spoons.

Giving affection is a difficult thing anymore. I have a hard time once things progress to certain point.
As for attention, when it comes to family I’m all in.

It depends on who it is. For a friend, my love and affection could be a hug, a pat on the back, or me just being there, listening. For a partner, it's long hugs, kisses, lovey stuff.

When you truly care about the person giving them your time, attention and effort.

In terms of romance it just happens without thought when you meet someone you really like, you find yourself putting them above everyone else.

I don't know. I forgot it all and it's hard to recall these things on emotional level. I guess the will and the impulse to give affection is a sign of love itself. The moment you feel like it's just something you're supposed to do or hope that a physical touch might make you feel affectionate, the love simply isn't there.

my affection is without a set form, i am but a conduit, it is of me, but belongs not to me, is not for me but still travels through me. it is an energy for the receiver traveling back to them in an array of mediums