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13[[quoteright:350:[[Manga/MyTinySenpai https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/smallsenpai.png]]]]
14[[caption-width-right:350:[[Advertising/HeadOn "Headpat! Apply directly to the noggin!"]]]]
15
16%%
17
18->''"Just pat me."''
19-->-- '''Annie Edison''', ''Series/{{Community}}''
20
21Adults will pat the head of a child to show them they've done well, tousle the child's hair affectionately to take the sting out of a teasing comment, or do one of the former in a playfully patronizing way.
22
23Also can be done from one adult to another if one feels protective and affectionate toward the other, or just wants to annoy them.
24
25The gesture is done to and from people of both sexes, and can be gentle or rough, though the rough version is most common among boys and their dads/older brothers (or substitute father-figures). If it's a full noogie, expect the dad to be playfully rough, and the boy to shut one eye while letting his head move with the gesture and maybe complain.
26
27The gesture can also be performed genuinely or insincerely. Expect the gesture to be done awkwardly by a closet ChildHater.
28
29This is more true North America and Europe than Asia. In some Asian countries, this may be considered rude due to spiritual connotations, though in Japan, it may have [[ShipTease romantic implications]]. Many people, even in places where the gesture is popular, also dislike the patronizing implications.
30
31SuperTrope to HeadbuttOfLove, in which both participants' heads are part of the gesture, and SisterTrope to GottaGetYourHeadTogether, which is usually one clutching at one's own head and messing up the hair. The opposite of DopeSlap, which is normally an ''UN''affectionate headpat. Not to be confused with HeadPet, which is a different kind of pet on the head.
32----
33
34!!Examples:
35[[index]]
36* [[AffectionateGestureToTheHead/AnimeAndManga Anime & Manga]]
37* [[AffectionateGestureToTheHead/LiveActionTV Live-Action TV]]
38[[/index]]
39
40[[foldercontrol]]
41
42[[folder:Advertising]]
43* "Advertising/DearAlice": At the lunch, the woman fondly pats the head of a young boy sitting at the table.
44[[/folder]]
45
46[[folder:Comic Books]]
47* The title character of ComicBook/{{Deadpool}} does this to his daughter on occasion. At one point, after not seeing one another for over a week, they share a warm embrace, and he rests his hand on her head has she speaks. Another instance, he is in his daughter's room and they play together for a while. But he eventually has to leave for "work." [[http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/silverfang2/29185537/1110978/1110978_1000.png He gives Ellie a kiss on her forehead before he has to go.]]
48* During ''ComicBook/FlashpointDCComics'', Traci Thirteen goes searching for allies to help her stop a plan to kill all the belligerents in the war between the Amazons and Atlantis, and ends up freeing Circe, who was locked up by the Amazons. Circe refuses to help Traci because she figures the Amazons deserve to die for locking her up, but gives the girl a kiss on the forehead for her troubles.
49* ''ComicBook/JudgeDredd'': In ''Dark Justice'', a thousand of Mega-City One's wealthiest citizens decide to leave the Earth in a StarshipLuxurious after the Day of Chaos turned much of the city into a ruin. When a reporter at the launch ceremony asks what the people who can't afford a seat are supposed to do, the spokesperson gives him a condescending pat on the head.
50* During the "Obsidian Age" arc of ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica'', ComicBook/MartianManhunter applies his fingers to ComicBook/GreenLantern's head to try and find out why he's having visions of the League being slaughtered. Lantern jokes that in some of the alien cultures he's visited, this would make them married.
51* ''ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica'':
52** The last issue of Creator/GeoffJohns' run features Ted Grant giving his son an affectionate noogie.
53--->''"I'd be your sidekick any day of the week, you pain in the ass."''
54** A few issues later, Hourman tousles Stargirl's hair while suggesting that the reason villains seem to be avoiding her lately is because she's so cute. His wife Liberty Bell finds this patronizing.
55* [[ComicBook/{{Nightwing}} Dick Grayson]]'s been affectionately mussing [[ComicBook/RedRobin Tim Drake]]'s hair ever since the Tim came to stay with him for his first bit of training as Robin, which was only the third time they met (including their brief meeting the evening Dick's parents died).
56* In a certain comic based on ''ComicBook/ThePowerpuffGirls'', Buttercup gets annoyed with the Mayor's constant patting her on the head, to the point where she punches his lights out after repeatedly telling him to stop.
57* In ''ComicBook/{{Runaways}}'', Nico uses an affectionate head touch to administer a spell that forces Klara to sleep after her powers get out of control. Molly, whose parents used to do the same thing to her, [[WhatTheHellHero is not pleased by this]]. Later, Molly is seen [[LapPillow cradling Klara's head in her lap]] and running her fingers through her hair.
58* ''ComicBook/{{Sabretooth}}'' has shown this on a few occasions. When it comes to amicable flings or genuine love interests, he has a tendency to gently cup their face during intimate moments.
59* During ''ComicBook/SupermanBrainiac'', ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} has a breakdown after seeing a ComicBook/{{Brainiac}} android. ComicBook/{{Superman}} calms her down by hugging her and stroking her head.
60[[/folder]]
61
62[[folder:Comic Strips]]
63* {{Lampshaded}} in one strip of ''ComicStrip/{{Dilbert}}'', the PointyHairedBoss is criticizing Dilbert's work (while not being overly specific as to what's wrong). As Dilbert becomes more frustrated, the boss asks Dilbert to "come here so I may pat your head in a condescending manner".
64-->'''Dogbert:''' So you took the pat on the head?\
65'''Dilbert:''' I didn't want to leave empty handed.
66[[/folder]]
67
68[[folder:Fan Works]]
69[[AC:''Franchise/AvatarTheLastAirbender'']]
70* ''Fanfic/FieldOfInnocence'': [[BigBrotherMentor Lu Ten]] ruffles his little cousin Zuko's hair before leaving for the Earth Kingdom.
71
72[[AC:''Franchise/BackToTheFuture'']]
73* ''FanFic/IchLiebeDich'': Doc absentmindedly strokes Marty's hair while the teen is asleep.
74
75[[AC:CrossOver]]
76* ''Fanfic/TheKedaboryVerse'':
77** ''Fanfic/SeraphinasTeaQuest'': When they meet each other, [[Series/BearInTheBigBlueHouse Bear]] pets a baby [[Fanfic/KedaborysMuppetMania Chef Clara]]'s head.
78** ''Fanfic/HushNowLittleOne'': [[WesternAnimation/{{Encanto}} Bruno]] pets [[WesternAnimation/TurningRed Tae-young]]'s hair to calm him down during a storm.
79** ''Fanfic/TheSeasonsMyReason'': Bruno ruffles [[Anime/DeliciousPartyPrettyCure Yui]]'s hair to encourage her on her quest.
80* ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'': Harry is usually subjected to this by Wanda, his godmother and [[ParentalSubstitute mother-substitute]], who takes to carding her fingers through his perpetually messy hair.
81* ''Fanfic/ImNobody'' (''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' & ''Franchise/MassEffect''): Roxas is at the receiving end of this all the time from Shepard, Ashley, and Axel, especially in the form of noogies. There's a time when he's subjected to three very rough noogies in a row because everyone was worried about him.
82* ''Fanfic/KyonBigDamnHero'' (''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya'' & Website/TVTropes): Kyon tousles his little sister's hair pretty much whenever he sees her.
83* ''Fanfic/ToForgetIsUnforgivable'' (''Manga/JujutsuKaisen'' & ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia''): Gojo frequently rubs Izuku's hood, [[InTheHood which is always up]], to make him feel better. Because Izuku created this with his power instead of actually having it as an article of clothing, the animal ears on it flatten as if they're real whenever this happens.
84
85[[AC:Franchise/TheDCU]]
86* ''{{Fanfic/Anglerfish}}'': Jason massages Tim's head to help chase away a headache and get Tim to sleep.
87* ''Fanfic/TheUnfantasticAdventuresOfBizarroNo1'': Bizarro ruffles his son's hair when Junior says he's glad to be able to rely on his father.
88
89[[AC:''Franchise/FireEmblem'']]
90* ''Fanfic/FireEmblemThreeHousesFifthPath'': Jeralt attempts to do this to Byleth but both of them agree that it's weird and he should never do it again.
91
92[[AC:FusionFic]]
93* ''Fanfic/ChildrenOfAnElderGod'' (Franchise/CthulhuMythos & ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''): In chapter 4 while they are talking, Kaji ruffles Asuka's hair in a paternal, placating way.
94-->''Kaji laughed and ruffled her hair.''
95* ''Fanfic/MyHuntsmanAcademia'' (''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' & ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}''): Izuku starts getting these from [[spoiler:Yang once they start dating. She runs her fingers through his hair and scratches his scalp when they're close to each other, making him feel comfortable but also enlivening him at the same time.]]
96
97[[AC:''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'']]
98* ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': On account of the fact the [[MultipleHeadCase share a single body below the necks]], gestures to the other's head is the main way that [[TranshumanAbomination Viv]] and [[DraconicAbomination San]] physically show affection towards each-other. They bump their heads together, twine their elongated necks around each-other in a protective gesture, and in Chapter 11, Vivienne teaches San what a [[AnywhereButTheirLips kiss to the forehead is]] while recalling it's something that her mother did to her.
99
100[[AC: ''Literature/GrandmasterOfDemonicCultivationMoDaoZuShi'' / ''Series/TheUntamed'']]
101* Twice in ''Fanfic/ChickenFoxAndFlowers'', Lan Xichen kisses Nie Mingjue's forehead.
102* ''[[Fanfic/AndIWillBurnForYou For What, For All But Myself]]'' has a moment when Nian-''Daifu'' strokes Jiang Cheng's to comfort him. Though he's played a comparatively small role in the fic, he’s known Jiang Cheng since he was a little boy, so Jiang Cheng doesn’t mind.
103* ''Fanfic/AMatterOfAge'' has Jin Guangyao pat Nie Mingjue's head gently at one point late in the fic. He's delighted at how soft Mingjue's hair is. Amusingly, despite being somewhat younger than Guangyao, Mingjue is taller, so Guangyao has to reach ''up'' to pet him.
104
105[[AC:Manga/MyHeroAcademia]]
106* Izuku's MessyHair is usually a target of this in fanfics, with his LoveInterest(s) of the story noting how fluffy it is.
107
108[[AC:''Franchise/NeonGenesisEvangelion'']]
109* ''Fanfic/AdviceAndTrust'': In chapter 8 Shinji rubbed the top of Asuka's head while she was resting on his lap.
110* ''Fanfic/GhostsOfEvangelion'': After having a talk with her teen daughter about the War, Asuka tugs a lock of her hair.
111-->Asuka shrugged. "Sort of. But don't worry about it. You're a good kid, so you're worth the trouble." She tugged a lock of Ryuko's hair. "Even if you are a delinquent."
112* ''Fanfic/AGlassOfWine'': Misato reaches over and ruffles Shinji's hair when she finds out he cannot figure out why Asuka sat down with him and hugged him.
113* ''Fanfic/{{HERZ}}'': In chapter 2 Asuka wakes up after a terrible nightmare. As he reassures her, Shinji strokes her red bangs.
114-->''"Shuuussh," he said soothingly, smoothly the damn auburn locks on her forehead as he propped her up on the pillows.''
115* ''Fanfic/LastChildOfKrypton'': After [[spoiler:beating Sachiel]] Shinji got Rei out of Unit 01 and caressed her head as he asked what happened to her.
116* ''Fanfic/NeonGenesisEvangelionGenocide'':
117** In Chapter 9, Asuka tries to reassure [[spoiler:Keiko]] by rubbing her head.
118--->The redhead didn't feel like she was moving until she had placed her hand on the other girl's head, leaning over her, and stroked her hair in a gesture of unthinkable compassion just a few minutes ago.
119** In Chapter 15, Misato pats Shinji’s head before a synch test.
120--->Misato stepped over to her wards, patted Shinji on the head and smiled at Asuka.
121
122[[AC:''Series/OddSquad'']]
123* ''Fanfic/MyDreamIsYours'': Touching foreheads is how dreams are transferred from one Dream-Transfer-itis victim to another. Olympia and Otis attempt to do it in order to get Otis's dream back in his head, and they are initially awkward at it.
124
125[[AC:''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'']]
126* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11803928/19/Challenger Challenger]]'': Ash's Duskull shows affection by tapping people's foreheads and likes to have his mask tapped in return.
127* ''Fanfic/GuysBeingDudes'': Both members of the main couple regularly pet or run their fingers through each other's hair.
128* ''Webcomic/PMDTheRogueTeam'': When Erin learns how dangerous mystery dungeons are and that she'll need to fight enemy pokemon in them, she immediately responds with unease. Tabor tries to reassure her by giving her head pats.
129
130[[AC:''Anime/PrettyCure'']]
131* ''Fanfic/GlitterForceIntoTheGlitterverse'': Glitterette pets Jewel ([[Anime/HappinessChargePrettyCure Hime]])'s head when she volunteers to find and infect the Anime/StarTwinklePrettyCure with the Anime/GlitterForce.
132
133[[AC:''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'']]
134* ''Fanfic/TheSimpsonsTeamLASH'': Principal Skinner often does this to his son Simon, to the point of it being a CharacterTic.
135
136[[AC:''Franchise/ASongOfIceAndFire'']]
137* ''Fanfic/SafeAnchorage'': Asha ruffles both Jeyne and Theon's hair or pats their heads to indicate her protectiveness and care towards them. Theon also smooths or strokes Jeyne's hair when he wants to comfort her.
138
139[[AC:''Franchise/StarWars'']]
140* In ''Fanfic/ASwordToPass'', on his arrival on Krownest, Tyr Vizsla approaches Sabine and comments how he hasn't seen her since she was a baby and begins to rub her head. This only confuses everyone else, especially Sabine. This is foreshadowing that he [[spoiler:is her biological father]].
141
142[[AC:''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'']]
143* In ''Fanfic/ThePandaChronicles'', the 4*Town boys often ruffle Tae-young's hair, since he is the youngest.
144
145[[AC:Unsorted]]
146* In ''Fanfic/TwiceUponAnAge'', Mahanon occasionally tugs on the end of Victoria's braid in a big brother type of gesture.
147* ''Fanfic/ApexPredatorMHA'': Aizawa tends to fluff the hair of his "problem children" to comfort them, most prominently Izuku and Hitoshi.
148* In the unofficial novel ''Batman: Angel of Death'', Selina likes to ruffle Damian's hair, both because she finds him cute and [[TheGadfly because she knows he does NOT like it]]. [[spoiler:During the climax, when Selina is sobbing after being talked down from killing the BigBad SinisterMinister, Damian comforts her by stroking ''her'' hair, establishing he has grown to care for her.]]
149* As their tag-team duel against Yuya and Zarc is at its end in ''Fanfic/BetweenMyBrotherAndMeMorsOmnibus'', Yusho, who has been at odds with Yvonne due to her snarky remarks at his [[SadisticChoice smart decision]] to hop for the Fusion Dimension without saying goodbye to Yuya -- does this before he tells her, "I'm ready for what happens next". Unfortunately, what should've been a happy moment ends up with Yvonne shedding a SingleTear [[spoiler:because it's a huge reminder that she has to kill him at the end of the duel.]]
150* ''Fanfic/BeyondTheBorders'': As said in the first chapter:
151--> The event had shaken Rachel to the point where her friends took her out to grab a bite to eat,\
152[...]\
153"It really is weird," Kira said as she patted Rachel's brown-haired head like one would pat the head of a cat.
154* ''Fanfic/TheChildOfLove'': After kissing and confessing during a festival Shinji and Asuka cuddled together. Shinji brushed away stray locks from her face as they snuggled up.
155-->''She rests her head against Shinji's shoulder, and he gently brushes some hair away from his redheaded goddess' face.''
156* In the start of the third arc of ''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'' story ''Fanfic/HellsisterTrilogy'', Dev-Em sits down beside Kara and strokes her head in a reassuring way as she's having a break-down.
157-->Dev crouched beside her and stroked her hair, gently.
158* At the start of ''Webcomic/InWhichGuzmaIsFrustrated'', Lusamine praises a younger Guzma and pats him on the head, which makes him blush.
159* Just like in the [[Literature/MyYouthRomanticComedyIsWrongAsIExpected source novel]], Hachiman in ''Fanfic/MyHeroSchoolAdventureIsAllWrongAsExpected'' doles these out fairly regularly to Komachi, just with a bit of a twist. Komachi's automatic AdaptiveAbility improves her body without warning her of what changes it makes. This was [[BlessedWithSuck a constant source of anxiety and frustration for her]] until Hachiman got a good enough handle on his own Quirk to, through a simple pat on her head, [[InstantExpert identify the changes his sister had undergone and advise her how to make the most out of them]]. Patting her head then became a daily ritual for the two of them, one that they both have continued long after Komachi's ability largely stabilized itself.
160* ''Fanfic/NeitherABirdNorAPlaneItsDeku'': Firestorm affectionately ruffles Izuku's hair before saying his goodbyes and taking off.
161* ''Fanfic/OneGirlWithTenBrothers'': Linka finds out that Luke is bisexual and is in a romantic relationship with one of his male classmates named Sam because she [[AccidentalPublicConfession accidentally overheard a phone call between the two of them about it]]. After Luke gives her more details about his relationship in private, Linka accepts it. Luke responds by [[TheGlomp scooping her up into a big hug]] and giving her a brotherly kiss on her forehead as thanks for her unconditional love.
162* ''Fanfic/TheSecondTry'': [[spoiler:Aki]] gets this a lot of her loving parents in this story and [[Webcomic/AkiChansLife the sequel]] as seen [[http://jimmywolk.studenten-froendenberg.de/eng/aki.php?browse.4.101 here]].
163* In ''Fanfic/ThousandShinji'', Shinji stroked Asuka's hair to reassure her after an argument while they were swimming in a pool.
164* There is a ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' doujinshi where a very drunk Sanae asks to be patted on the head and called a "good girl". This has become something of a meme in the Touhou fandom.
165[[/folder]]
166
167[[folder:Film — Animated]]
168* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'', after Aladdin tricks Jafar into becoming a jinni, which results in him getting trapped in a lamp of his own, Genie playfully ruffles his hair as a way of congratulating him.
169** In ''WesternAnimation/AladdinAndTheKingOfThieves'', Cassim gives Aladdin the noogie variant shortly after finding out Aladdin is his son.
170* At the end of ''WesternAnimation/AtlantisTheLostEmpire'', Milo is saying goodbye to all his friends. When he comes to [[ThePigPen Mole]], who offers a big hug, he hesitates before patting his head instead.
171* ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast'':
172** The Beast strokes Belle's hair and cheek when they're having romantic moments.
173** After getting stabbed by Gaston ([[BackstabBackfire who falls to his doom immediately afterwards]]), Belle comforts the Beast by gently stroking his face.
174** After the curse is broken, Belle sort of brushes Beast's hair so she can better see his face, before they kiss.
175* ''WesternAnimation/BigHero6'': In a couple of moments, Wasabi tousles Hiro's hair in a brotherly fashion.
176* In ''WesternAnimation/BrotherBear'', after they've become friends, it's not uncommon for Kenai to noogie his little brother, Koda.
177* ''WesternAnimation/CasperTheFriendlyGhost'': In ''Casper: A Spirited Beginning'', Fatso strokes Casper on the head while lying about them being uncle and nephew. It happens again in ''Film/CasperMeetsWendy'', where Fatso strokes Casper on the head after his uncles and the witches save him and Wendy, and once more in ''Casper's Haunted Christmas'' when they, Stretch, Stinkie, Spooky, and Pearl are being banished to "The Dark".
178* In ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'', after scolding Simba for going to the elephant graveyard and almost getting himself and Nala killed by hyenas, Mufasa gives his son a playful noogie to let him know he's forgiven.
179** In ''WesternAnimation/TheLionGuard'' Mufasa also does this to Scar according to Scar's backstory song after he finds out what Scar did to take care of the strange lion. It has a sign that Mufasa doesn't take Scar seriously.
180* By the second act of ''WesternAnimation/OliverAndCompany'', a sign that normally aloof Dodger is warming to Oliver is the street dog tousling the kitten's fur.
181* ''WesternAnimation/ThePeanutsMovie'': In a mid-credits scene, Lucy gives Charlie Brown a pat on the head after pulling her classic football prank on him, calling him "gullible".
182* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsonsMovie'', a kid in a commercial asks Creator/TomHanks to tousle his hair. Magic sparkles appear as he does.
183* A variant appears in ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie''; characters sometimes show affection to the leads by playfully pulling their hats down over their eyes, Mario doing it to Luigi during their introduction to show their brotherly bond, and Peach doing it to Mario - the both of them having some ShipTease with each other - much later.
184* In Disney's ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'', Mother Gothel gives these to Rapunzel ''a lot'' -- she pats Rapunzel "sweetly" on the head as a gesture of "affection" but also to remind her that she's dumb, helpless, naïve, ditzy, etc. Said gesture also lets the audience know it's actually her ''hair'' that Gothel cares about, and not Rapunzel herself, because she needs it to stay young. [[CharacterDevelopment It is a sign that Rapunzel has grown up]] that she blocks the gesture and grabs Gothel's wrist once Rapunzel realizes who she is.
185* In Disney's ''WesternAnimation/{{Tarzan}}'', the infant who will end up as Tarzan gets a ''genuine'' ruffle of his hair by his human father during the opening of the movie, for pointing out a great tree to build in.
186* In ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory3'', Bonnie's mother gently strokes her daughter's hair before she steps up to Andy to accept his toys.
187* In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', Ming affectionately tucks Mei's hair behind her ear and in the climax Mei does the same to Ming.
188* ''WesternAnimation/{{Up}}'': Kevin affectionately taps Carl on the head with her beak.
189[[/folder]]
190
191[[folder:Film — Live-Action]]
192* ''Film/AdeleHasntHadHerDinnerYet'': Police commissioner Ledvina comforts detective Nick Carter when he was recovering from the attack by The Gardener's chamberlain. TapOnTheHead ''and'' chloroform? He deserved the affectionate pat, plus Ledvina promised him fresh air and beer drinking, if he would feel up to it.
193* At the end of ''Film/{{Attenberg}}'', Marina gives Bella an odd affectionate gesture to the head just before [[spoiler:Bella goes to have sex with Marina's dying father]].
194* ''Film/BlessTheirLittleHearts'': Charlie's affection for his children is demonstrated by how he tousles his son's hair after he gets home. The whole movie is about his shame at being unemployed and unable to provide for his children.
195* In ''Film/CriesFromTheHeart'', Karen and Terry both ruffle Michael's hair a number of times.
196* Plot-relevant in ''Film/DefinitelyMaybe'', as recognizing the gesture is how Maya works out which of the women in the story is her mother.
197* In ''Film/GranTorino'', Creator/ClintEastwood pats the head of a child in a Hmong household as a gesture of kindness; the family of the child is shocked by this due to their cultural differences.
198* In ''Film/TheInnocent1994'', Pamela strokes Gregory's hair and cheek when she visits him in the hospital.
199* In ''Film/TheLastPictureShow'', Sonny often shows his affection towards Billy by taking his cap off and putting it back on.
200* In ''Film/LevyAndGoliath'', Moses (an Orthodox Jew) affectionately touches the top of his secular brother Albert's head when the latter comes to his help at the NoTellMotel in Pigalle when BigBad Goliath is out in the streets looking for him. Later, Moses also does the same with his nephews (Albert's children) upon meeting them for the first time in his life.
201* Boromir pats Frodo in ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheFellowshipOfTheRing'' during their attempted trek over Caradhras. After picking up the Ring, he gives it back to Frodo only after an order from Aragorn. He ruffles Frodo's hair to lighten the mood, but the Fellowship stays wary.
202* ''Film/TheNameOfTheRose'':
203** Brother William strokes the hair of his novice Adso as he tosses in his bed from a nightmare. Adso grabs hold of his hand in his sleep, leaving William standing there holding a lamp in one hand that he can't put down, yet reluctant to pull his hand free. He leans awkwardly against the wall instead.
204** Earlier a friar strokes the back of Adso's head in a creepy manner while making some rather homoerotic comments.
205* ''Film/TheQuickAndTheDead'': [[NoNameGiven Lady]] is curt in response to [[TagalongKid Katie]]'s adoration, until just before her first gunfight when Katie assures her she will win; the Lady then strokes Katie's hair in thanks. Subverted when she does win.
206-->'''Katie:''' Lady, I think you're great!
207-->'''Lady:''' ''(pushing past her)'' [[YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame Grow up]].
208* ''Film/LaReineMargot'' pets her brothers' hair when they are upset about her wedding night. And again Margot pets Charles when he is crying after the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.
209* ''Film/TheTerminator''. Kyle Reece strokes the hair of a sleeping Sarah Connor, only to quickly snatch his hand away when the gesture wakes her up. This is after the flashback scene [[LoveBeforeFirstSight showing he kept a photograph of her as a treasured possession in the future]].
210* ''Film/ThereWillBeBlood'': It's an open question how much Daniel Plainview cares about his adopted son H.W., and how much H.W. is a prop to help Daniel lure gullible rubes into selling the rights to drill oil on their land. The flashback where Daniel affectionately tousles his son's hair indicates that he does have feelings for the boy.
211* ''Film/{{Thor}}'': Odin caresses the head of an abandoned Jötunn infant in order for it to stop crying. Eventually, that infant grows up to be Loki.
212* ''Film/WarGames''. During the movie, Dr. [=McKittrick=] had been suspicious of and antagonistic toward David Lightman. At the end, after Lightman had prevented WorldWarIII, Dr. [=McKittrick=] tousled his hair in a friendly way.
213* ''Film/{{Watchmen}}''.
214** Dr Manhattan strokes the hair of his girlfriend Laurie (aka Silk Spectre). Desperate for affection from someone who's become increasingly distant, she leans in to his touch, only for Dr Manhattan to turn back to his work (which in fairness does involve saving the world from impending nuclear war).
215** In a flashback the Comedian is shown stroking Laurie's cheek [[MomentKiller until Sally Jupiter intervenes]], [[MamaBear outraged]] that he appears to be flirting with her daughter. [[spoiler:Turns out Laurie is the Comedian's daughter as well.]]
216* ''Film/XMenApocalypse'': Charles Xavier tenderly caresses Jean Grey's forehead to calm her down after she becomes agitated by an apocalyptic vision. It's also a visual cue that they have a surrogate father-daughter relationship.
217[[/folder]]
218
219[[folder:Literature]]
220* Creator/IsaacAsimov:
221** ''Literature/TheCompleteAdventuresOfLuckyStarr'': After ''Mercury'', Lucky and Bigman [[HeterosexualLifePartners are comfortable enough together]] that Lucky will tousle his {{sidekick}}'s hair to show affection. In ''Literature/LuckyStarrAndTheRingsOfSaturn'', the affection is mixed with frustration, and Lucky goes as far as to "[seize] Bigman's hair affectionately and [tug] his head back and forth".
222** "Literature/PointOfView": Roger's head gets tousled by his father when he gets worried that Multivac will be shut down due to errors. His father is trying to reassure him that everything will be fine.
223* Mrs. Martinez from ''Literature/{{Bat}}'' stands in the hallway and rumples kids' hair. Bat always gives her a wide berth because he doesn't like having his hair rumpled. So far, he's managed to evade her.
224* ''Literature/{{Baccano}}'':
225** General rule with ''Baccano!'': left-handed headpats are affection. Right-handed headpats? [[ImpliedDeathThreat Not so much.]]
226** After thinking that he is going to die, Czeslaw gets a pat on the head from Maiza instead of having his life force sucked from him as he'd expected. [[spoiler:This, along with the love that Isaac and Miria had shown him, leads to his breaking free from his past woes.]]
227** Subverted at the end of the 2002 arc with Fermet's return. His ambush of Czes is bad enough just with the massive creeper overtones he practically oozes all over his "favorite toy". When he makes it clear how ''utterly'' helpless Czes is against him... puts his right hand on Czes' forehead... and ''pets'' him before walking off to [[BreakTheCutie let the mindbreak settle]].
228* In ''Literature/CheaperByTheDozen'', there is a part when the children's Aunt Anne comes to visit and Billy pushes her over the edge to the point where she yanks his hair. They get on better terms with each other, though, to the point where Aunt Anne gives Billy one of these.
229* In ''Literature/DateALive'' Shido tends to do these to the various spirits a lot, especially the more childlike ones. Kurumi offers Shido this [[ButThouMust choice]] in volume 7.
230-->'''Kurumi''': If you don’t want me to cry, you can either [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking give me one of Shidou-san’s eyeballs, or let me suck your blood, or pet my head]].
231* ''Literature/DavidCopperfield'':
232** When Miss Betsey Trotwood visits David's mother Clara Copperfield, who is very pregnant and very sad over her dead husband, she seems very determined, opinionated, stubborn and almost rude. However, at one moment she gently touched Clara's hair ("she had a fancy that she felt Miss Betsey touch her hair, and that with no ungentle hand"). When Clara had a boy instead of a girl that Miss Betsey had wanted to take care of, she left the little family abruptly. Later in the narrative, David is unsure if Miss Betsey will help him from the evils of child labour and poverty, but he remembers the story (told by his mother and their servant-girl Pegotty) and he keeps thinking particularly about this gesture of kindness, and hopes that Miss Betsey will be kind to him as well.
233---> ''My aunt walked into that story, and walked out of it, a dread and awful personage; but there was one little trait in her behaviour which I liked to dwell on, and which gave me some faint shadow of encouragement. I could not forget how my mother had thought that she felt her touch her pretty hair with no ungentle hand; and though it might have been altogether my mother’s fancy, and might have had no foundation whatever in fact, I made a little picture, out of it, of my terrible aunt relenting towards the girlish beauty that I recollected so well and loved so much, which softened the whole narrative.''
234** Soon after Mr Murdstone meets little David and his young widowed mother, he pats him on his head, but David dislikes him very much, and dislikes the thought that he is interested in his mother.
235* In ''Literature/DragonBones'' Ward tries to snap Oreg out of one of his PTSD-induced flashbacks by touching his head, as every other part of his body is horribly injured (Oreg is so powerful a mage that he re-lives the past in a physical sense without being able to control it). He also says Oreg's name ... which makes him look stupid when his uncle sees it, as Oreg is invisible to most people.
236* Marco Inaros from ''Literature/TheExpanse'' tends to pat the head of his almost-adult son to humiliate him in company of Marco's co-conspirators, also as a punishment, since punching him would mean to Marco that he actually takes his son ''seriously''.
237* ''Literature/LaFuerzaSeries'': Played straight, then inverted in ''The Inquisitor: No Rest for the Weary'', the ninth book in the series. Lily cups Jane’s cheek, then Jane nuzzles Lily’s palm.
238* Used contemptuously in ''Literature/GalaxyOfFear''. Young Tash takes offense to SecondFaceSmoke, but this amuses the smoker, who puts a hand on her head and looms over her, then spins her towards the BadGuyBar door and shoves her. He's a serial killer, so she's fortunate he was amused. [[spoiler: Later [[GrandTheftMe his brain]] ends up [[GenderBender in her skull]].]]
239* The Kokonoe twins in ''Literature/GirlsKingdom'' love to give head pats to girls they like, such as [[TheProtagonist Misaki]], then try to follow up with pats to the butt or the chest. Yep, their affectionate gestures to the head are excuses to molest other students and everyone knows it.
240* In ''Literature/InTwoWorlds'', Anthony's speech therapist Cindy ruffles his hair in front of his mother. In fact, she doesn't like him at all, but he's TheSpeechless and can't tell his mother what their sessions are really like.
241* ''Literature/{{Katanagatari}}'': After Togame [[TraumaticHaircut loses]] her long hair, Shichika, who had a habit of [[ItMakesSenseInContext wrapping himself in it]], reassures her by patting her head.
242* This is essentially the signature gesture of the Kasahara/Dojo relationship in ''Literature/LibraryWar''. The first one occurred when Kasahara was in high school and Dojo was her [[MysteriousProtector "prince"]]. The next time he gave her one, it strongly reminded her of her "prince" and kickstarted their SlapSlapKiss relationship. Pretty much every important the two of them have is accompanied by one.
243* ''Literature/MagicTreeHouse'': At the end of book #4, ''Pirates Past Noon'', Morgan le Fay gently touches Annie and Jack's foreheads in farewell.
244* In the ''Literature/OctoberDaye'' novel ''One Salt Sea'', the scary, unaffectionate Luidaeg gives Quentin's hair an affectionate ruffle.
245* In ''Literature/OnTheSpectrum'', Clara's dad ruffles Alastair's hair, even though he HatesBeingTouched. Clara wonders why he keeps doing something Alastair doesn't like.
246* ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians:'' [[GoodParents Sally]] pets and ruffles Percy's hair often, especially if they haven't seen each other in a while. It's particularly noticeable in the first book, when she's pretty much the only person who he allows physical affection from.
247* In ''Literature/TheRavenCycle'', Noah likes to do this to Blue, because her spikey, very strange hair absolutely fascinates him. She thinks it's sweet.
248* In ''Literature/ShadowOfTheConqueror,'' after sending him on a pointless task to get rid of him for a few minutes, Lyrah does this to Cueseg to mock him. He assumes that it's the Hamahran way of [[DoYouWantToCopulate asking for sex]].
249-->'''Lyrah:''' "Light, Cueseg! Are all Tuerasians as perverted as you?"
250* In ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', Jon shows his affection to Arya by mussing up her hair. Arya later misses having him do this to her.
251* The ''Literature/XWingSeries'' has Han Solo once vigorously muss up Wedge Antilles' hair as demonstration of the fact that he can get away with a lot as a General. For the record, they're friends.
252[[/folder]]
253
254[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]
255* Wrestling/DanaBrooke is fond of patting someone's hair, except it's more patronizing than affectionate -- usually to interviewers after a promo. In some cases, she asks the main male interviewer for NXT (who is considerably taller) to squat down so she can reach.
256[[/folder]]
257
258[[folder:Roleplay]]
259* In ''Roleplay/DawnOfANewAgeOldportBlues'', resident TeamMom Ciro is fond of petting his younger siblings on the head. He also does it at one point to fellow student Michal, during a moment when Michal is acting particularly childish, which confuses the younger boy.
260[[/folder]]
261
262[[folder:Sports]]
263* Quite commonplace in professional team sports, and considered a bit less HoYay than a pat on the backside.
264[[/folder]]
265
266[[folder:Theatre]]
267* Death from the Creator/TakarazukaRevue productions of ''Theatre/{{Elisabeth}}'' is fond of doing this to Sisi and Rudolf [[note]]He does it to Sisi in "Saigo no Dansu/Der letzte Tanz" and "Ai no Tema/Der Schleier fällt"; Rudolf in "Mama, dokona no?/Mama, wo bist du?" and at the end of the Mayerling Waltz.[[/note]], often with a look straight down the barrel of the camera. It's usually done in a possessive, gloating manner.
268* All the idols in ''Theatre/{{Tsukiuta}}'', to the audience (at least, pre-Covid). It was one of the benefits of scoring an aisle seat. These interactions can still be scene on the bluray discs of the first 25-or-so productions, and it will likely come back. The characters also do this to each other quite frequently, with Kakeru and Shun being particularly eager to get head-pats from Hajime.
269[[/folder]]
270
271[[folder:Video Games]]
272* ''VideoGame/ANNOMutationem'': Prior to the last fight against C, Ann is told she'll have to protect Sigrid as she channels her [[RealityWarper ability]] to weaken C to a vulnerable state. After Sigrid admits that she's nervous about going through such a dangerous mission, Ann places her hand on Sigrid's head and assures that she will protect her from being harmed, giving Sigrid courage.
273* ''VideoGame/{{Changed}}'': In sharp contrast to every other creature in the tower, defeating the Hyena Mom will cause it to considerably mellow out towards the player. In fact, she's so comfortable with you now that laying down with her and her family will cause her to pat your head affectionately as if you were one of her own.
274* ''VideoGame/EnsembleStars'': This comes up on a number of occasions.
275** Tori often demands this as part of his DeliberatelyCuteChild persona.
276** In ''Quarrel Fes'', Keito pats the head of the producer to thank her for her hard work. Souma immediately cries this is unfair, then catches himself and simply says that she should feel honoured to have her head pat by his beloved senior. Keito sees this and later when Souma does well Keito obligingly pats his head -- except that at that point, they were due to be on stage in five minutes, so Kuro needs to step in and straight out Souma's ruffled hair. (Nevertheless, Souma seems quite pleased.)
277* ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'': Ushiwakamaru (a young Minamoto no Yoshitune), in one of her interlude conversations, asks her Master (the player) to pat her head. A later event, where she gets to meet her ancestor, Minamoto no Raikou, also has her receive pats to the head from her ancestor.
278** Another Servant, Wu Zetian, will also allow the Player to give her headpats upon reaching a certain bond level with her. Or [[SweetTooth feed her sweet candy.]]
279* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'', Lulu often demonstrates fondness for her adopted little sister Yuna by stroking her hair.
280* ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBindingBlade'':
281** Thea upsets Shanna by criticizing her recklessness. She tries to imitate their big sister Juno by patting her on the head -- only Thea is an AloofBigSister, so Shanna goes from being upset to weirded out. (She does say she appreciates the effort in their next support conversation.)
282** [[PerpetualFrowner Chad]] breaks out laughing at Hugh's dramatics about being called "mister". Hugh is surprised that he ''can'' laugh, since he's seen so many kids lose the ability to smile because of the war, but concludes that there's hope in the world as long as kids are laughing. He asks Chad to make sure to laugh once in a while before ruffling his hair. Given that Chad ends the support by thinking that there's still hope for the world as long as there are adults like Hugh, he doesn't seem to mind too much.
283* In ''VideoGame/GrandiaII'', Mareg pats Tio's head every time he tries to teach her about life and thinking for yourself.
284* In ''VideoGame/TheIncredibleHulkUltimateDestruction'' whenever you pick up a civilian, you can choose to put them down with a gentle pat on the head instead of throwing them into the horizon like the Hulk usually does when he picks someone up.
285* In ''VideoGame/JoJosBizarreAdventureEyesOfHeaven'', the epilogue has [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure Jotaro]] patting a young Jolyne when they arrive in Morioh.
286* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel'' games, Sara likes doing this to Fie, who puts up with it but tells Sara how annoying she finds it. Laura's father also does this to her when they see each other again for the first time in months. Laura is more embarrassed that the gesture is seen by her classmates than by the gesture itself. Rean also has a tendency to do it to any girl he's close to (Alisa, Towa, and Elise are all on the receiving end, much to their collective frustration). Rean also does it to Altina in Cold Steel III. She's not amused the first time he does it, asking if he was thinking anything indecent when he did, but by the time of Cold Steel IV she's actually asking him to give her a headpat at the end of their link victory sequence.
287* Rusl gives a hair ruffle to his son Colin at the beginning of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess''.
288* In ''VideoGame/LoveLiveSchoolIdolFestival'', one of the things Nozomi will say on the home screen as your center is, "Once you clear your goals, I'll give you a pat on the head" ("Uchi wa yoshi-yoshi shiteageru yan").
289* In ''VideoGame/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAsPortable: The Gears of Destiny'', [[UnfinishedBusiness Dark Piece]] [[ParentalSubstitute Rynith]] gives one to Levi the Slasher after the two properly introduced themselves. Turns out, TheBerserker BloodKnight likes it.
290--> '''Levi:''' Nehehe~, feel free to pat me more~!
291* ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam'': During the game's dream world sections, the player can use the stylus to pat Luigi's head while he's asleep. He reacts with either confusion or a smile and a hum.
292* In ''VideoGame/Persona5'', this was Futaba's mother's go-to gesture to congratulate Futaba on a job well done and during her Confidant, she requests that Joker "pat pat" on her head to praise her for completing her promise list to her mother. ObliviousToLove as she is, Futaba is confused why the affectionate gesture feels so different when Joker did it compared to her mother.
293* ''VideoGame/TomodachiLife'': One of the things a player can do with the Mii is use the stylus to pat their head. While doing so, it first gets a relaxed expression, then a happy one; letting go of the stylus will make it jump up and gain a small chunk of XP.
294-->"It looks like he/she really liked that!"
295* ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'':
296** Toriel gently pets the player on the head when they first enter her house and she shows them their new room.
297** Parodied during [[spoiler: the "date" with Alphys. Undyne hugs a depressed Alphys and pats her on the head... then tosses her into a trash can like a basketball before shouting an encouraging speech at her.]]
298** In an EasterEgg in the [[BonusDungeon True Lab]], [[spoiler: lying down in one of the beds causes a ghostly ''creature'' to appear beside it, and slowly reach out to Frisk...To reach down to tuck them in, and pat them on the head. It would be [[CreepyCute cute, if it weren't creepy as well]].]]
299* UsefulNotes/OdaNobunaga pats GenkiGirl Xiao Qiao's head in the Sengoku ending of ''VideoGame/WarriorsOrochi''.
300* ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles3FutureRedeemed'': Rex pats Glimmer fondly on the head just before [[spoiler:Rex, Shulk, and A enter Origin to stabilize it]]. Glimmer is confused, but the expression on Rex's face makes it clear he's done this before, in the old world. Glimmer is Rex's daughter, but since she doesn't even know what a daughter ''is'', he never explained their connection.
301
302[[/folder]]
303
304[[folder:Visual Novels]]
305* ''VisualNovel/CinderellaPhenomenon'': Delora gently pushes Lucette's hair back from her face while comforting her in Fritz route.
306* ''VisualNovel/CourtOfDarkness'': In chapter 4 part 2 of Lynt’s consort path he pats the main character on the head to comfort her. In Rio’s consort path Rio pats the main character on the head. In the story event Scintillating Summer Escape in Fenn’s path he pats the main character on the head. In the Prince’s Path Headmaster Lou pats Christoph on the head. The main character pats her cat familiar on the head.
307* Rin's flashback in the prologue of ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' features a scene where her father pats her on the head. She remarks that because it's the first time he's ever done so, he's using far too much strength and dragging her head around as he does it.
308* Harada Sanosuke in ''VisualNovel/{{Hakuouki}}'' distributes these regularly to Chizuru and Ryuunosuke.
309* ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'':
310** Satoshi Hojo had a habit of doing this, especially to his sister Satoko, before he disappeared. So much that when Keiichi does it to her in ''Tatarigoroshi-hen'', it actually triggers her and causes her to StressVomit. He does this a few times to [[spoiler:Shion]] as well. In fact, after she [[spoiler:stabs Keiichi]], in Meakashi-hen, she actually yells out for Satoshi to do this to her in the visual novel.
311** Rika pats people when they're feeling down. While most people assume that she's comforting them, she's actually mocking them.
312** This used to be done to [[spoiler:Miyo]] as a child by her dad. A noticeably sad example happens after he gets into a severe automobile accident. He's bandaged near completely and his arm has been amputated but he tries to comfort [[spoiler:Miyo]] but can't. He dies moments later.
313* Hideyoshi in ''VisualNovel/IkemenSengoku'' frequently pats the female main character's head in his route, in a [[BigBrotherInstinct big brotherly]] way at first and in a more affectionate way later on. The MC becomes so used this treatment that she instinctively pats ''his'' head in one scene while telling him to take care of himself and immediately becomes mortified about it.
314* ''VisualNovel/KatawaShoujo'': Towards the end of Lilly's route just before she [[spoiler: leaves for Scotland]], Lilly is saying her goodbyes to both her [[HeterosexualLifePartners best friend]] Hanako and boyfriend Hisao. Hisao is resigned, but Hanako is reluctant to say goodbye and literally holds onto her. Lilly eventually firmly but gently disengages Hanoko from her arm and gives her a quiet reassuring speech, during which she tells Hanako she [[PlatonicDeclarationOfLove loves her very much]] and gently pushes Hanoko's hair back from her face and kisses her on the forehead. The gesture almost moves Hanoko to tears and temporarily renders her all but speechless.
315* ''VisualNovel/MyGirlfriendIsThePresident'': Jun often pats Yukino, and it always causes her worries to vanish instantly. Jun even complains that she's too simple-minded. He also does it to Ell in her route, and it works so well that, whenever Jun looks concerned, she starts doing it to him as well. It also works that way, though obviously more because of the cuteness than anything else.
316* In ''VisualNovel/CollarXMalice'', the protagonist Ichika receives many variations from the love interests. Shiraishi tends to pat her hair. Yanagi taps her head lightly. Sasazuka gently pokes her forehead.
317* In ''VisualNovel/{{Bustafellows}}'', Limbo does this to Teuta as a way to convey his fondness for her. In Crow's route, Teuta pats Crow on his head, leaving him rather flustered.
318[[/folder]]
319
320[[folder:Web Animation]]
321* ''WebAnimation/HelloKittyAndFriendsSupercuteAdventures'': Badtz-Maru comes up and pets My Melody's ears, something that actually bothers her. Thankfully, with encouragement from Kuromi, she lets him know, and he's understand.
322[[/folder]]
323
324[[folder:Web Comics]]
325* ''Webcomic/ChampionsOfFaraus'': Hyperion pats Will on the head after the latter reports that their ice dragon egg is safe in the new tool shed. Hyperion notes he forgot how “funny your head sounds” as he proceeds to tap Will’s head curiously.
326* ''Webcomic/CharbyTheVampirate'':
327** Bert ruffles Blaine's hair after giving him a near lecture about entering the woods on his own when he learns Blaine did so thinking he heard a child in danger from a werewolf.
328** Charby gives Victor a friendly, if unwanted, noogie when the two reconcile after [[spoiler: Victor tells Charby to stay away from him and that their friendship is over when Blaine makes it clear he won't tolerate his hunters befriending "monsters"]].
329* ''Webcomic/TheDevilsPanties'': A security guard condescendingly pats Jennie on the head in [[http://thedevilspanties.com/archives/5939 this comic]].
330* In ''Webcomic/{{Drowtales}}'', Nei'kalsa Tions Sarghress keeps her hand placed on the head of her younger brother Sar'nel as the two are made to watch [[spoiler: Ariel]] beat [[spoiler: Mir'kiin]] to death.
331* In ''Webcomic/{{Guardian}}'', as in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'', Lulu often pets Yuna's hair out of affection. Wakka also tousles Chappu's hair in a more big brotherly variant.
332* ''Webcomic/HowToBeAWerewolf'': Connie pats her daughter Aubrey's head and twists her fingers through her hair while berating and threatening her in a dark imitation of a motherly gesture.
333* In ''Webcomic/{{Namesake}}'', Fred is seen patting someone's head several times. Different than other times this trope is played, the gesture has nothing condescending at all; he genuinely means to encourage someone, offer comfort or show acclaim.
334* ''Webcomic/StandStillStaySilent'': The story at some point returns to a time at which an eight-year-old Lalli was the only child in a group otherwise made of elderly adults, and one of the elders is seen greeting Lalli with a pat on the head.
335* ''Webcomic/TilDebtDoUsPart'': One of the signs Yejun is developing real feelings for Subin is that he is voluntarily affectionate with her. In Chapter 46 he rubs her hair, and she notices that it's only the second time he's given her genuine physical affection.
336* ''Webcomic/TrippingOverYou'' has Milo, who is constantly caressing or fiddling with his boyfriend Liam's hair.
337* ''Webcomic/{{Unsounded}}'': Mathis keeps his hand on his son Matty's head after checking a bruise on his forehead, while implying he [[https://www.casualvillain.com/Unsounded/comic/ch10/ch10_21.html may yet go kill everyone involved in harming his son.]]
338* ''Webcomic/TheGreenhouse'': [[spoiler:The demon 'Red']] is completely thrown for a loop when [[spoiler:Mica]] tussles her hair. She's still not used [[spoiler:to being {{Intangibility capable of physical contact}} with anyone, and this is also probably only the second affectionate touch she's ever received]], so her confusion is understandable.
339[[/folder]]
340
341[[folder:Western Animation]]
342* ''WesternAnimation/BigHero6TheSeries'': Krei does one to Hiro while apathetically trying to warm up to him while he dates Aunt Cass in "Aunt Cass Goes Out". Happens again but [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold with genuine fondness]] in "Muira-Horror!".
343* ''WesternAnimation/CaspersScareSchool'': Mantha and Stretch stroke Casper on the head in "Vote for Casper" and "What Possessed You?" respectively.
344* In ''WesternAnimation/CodenameKidsNextDoor'', Numbuh Five will occasionally tousle Numbuh Four's hair, showing the nature of their [[LikeBrotherAndSister friendship]].
345* A standard gesture of affection among WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}, their cultural equivalent of kissing.
346* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': Grunkle Stan will occasionally give some "affectionate noogie-ing" to his great nephew and niece Dipper and Mabel.
347* ''WesternAnimation/GreenLanternTheAnimatedSeries'': Hal does a "tousle the hair" to Amaya -- an alien without hair -- when showing her a kindness over a family loss.
348* ''WesternAnimation/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas'' has the titular Grinch patting Cindy Lou Who on the head before he gives her a drink and sends her back to bed.
349* ''WesternAnimation/{{Kaeloo}}'': One episode had [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Mr. Cat]] pat Stumpy on the head in a big-brotherly way.
350* In the ''WesternAnimation/MarvelsSpiderMan'' episode "An Ock and a Hard Place", the new, relaxed version of Otto Octavius says that all the students will have a chance to work on the Neo-Cortex project regardless of their ability. As he says that, he ruffles Peter's hair. Peter is not happy about [[CondescendingCompassion the implication]].
351* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'':
352** In [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E5GriffonTheBrushOff "Griffon the Brush Off"]], [[Characters/FriendshipIsMagicPinkiePie Pinkie Pie]] gives one to Fluttershy right before Gilda's party, and actually manages the very rare feat of annoying her.
353--->'''Pinkie Pie:''' Don't worry your pretty little head about mean old Gilda. Your auntie Pinkie Pie's got it all taken care of!
354--->'''Fluttershy:''' I'm a year older than you.
355** In [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E7MayTheBestPetWin "May the Best Pet Win"]], [[Characters/FriendshipIsMagicRainbowDash Rainbow Dash]] gives a condescending pat on the head to Twilight Sparkle, when she asks if "coolness", "awesomeness" and "radicalness" aren't all the same thing.
356--> '''Rainbow Dash:''' You would think so. And that is why ''you'' would never qualify to be ''my'' pet.
357** In [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E5SisterhoovesSocial "Sisterhooves Social"]], Rarity's father gives Sweetie Belle a tousle as he praises her cooking. She clearly appreciates it.
358** In [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E11FamilyAppreciationDay "Family Appreciation Day"]], Apple Bloom is patted by her Uncle Apple Strudel and Granny Smith.
359** In [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E8TheMysteriousMareDoWell "The Mysterious Mare Do Well"]], Rainbow Dash gives Scootaloo a tousle/noogie when she thinks that Scootaloo's there to apologize.
360** [[Characters/FriendshipIsMagicTwilightSparkle Twilight Sparkle]] gets a few of these in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E25ACanterlotWeddingPart1 "A Canterlot Wedding"]].
361** Fluttershy gets one of these from Pinkie Pie again in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E18MaudPie Maud Pie]] when Pinkie tells her that the rocks used to make the rock candy are a secret.
362** Fluttershy again gets these from her younger brother, Zephyr Breeze, in "Flutter Brutter".
363* ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'': Done by [[Characters/PhineasAndFerbCandaceFlynn Candace Flynn]] to Ferb in the final song sequence of "[[Recap/PhineasAndFerbSummerBelongsToYou Summer Belongs To You]]". And considering it's pretty much the ''only'' time so far that she's shown physical affection to her little stepbrother, it's nothing short of adorable.
364* In the ''WesternAnimation/PostmanPat'' episode "[[Recap/PostmanPatS1E1 Postman Pat's Finding Day]]", Pat pets Katy's head when he makes it to her house for her and Tom's birthday party.
365* In the ''WesternAnimation/ReadyJetGo'' episode "Face on the Fritz", Dr. Rafferty rubs Sean's head after he figures out a code.
366* In the 2018 reboot of ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'', two characters do this.
367** [[Characters/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPowerShadowWeaver Shadow Weaver]] touches the face of someone when she is trying to manipulate them, or has just manipulated them. She has a habit of tucking in a strand of Adora's loose hair. In Season 2, she touches Catra's face when trying to get on Catra's good side. In a flashback, she touches Micah's face after a spell transforms her from Light Spinner into Shadow Weaver. In Season 4, [[spoiler:she tucks a rose behind Glimmer's ear and touches her face while telling her that she will be a greater monarch than either of her parents.]]
368** In "Destiny, Part 2", [[spoiler: [[Characters/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPowerHordePrime Horde Prime]] touches Hordak's face in a manner that appears affectionate, but the touch quickly turns into forceful facial groping as he invades Hordak's mind. After mind-wiping Hordak, Horde Prime touches Glimmer's face in a manner that feels predatory.]]
369* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
370** In an [[ShowWithinAShow educational film]], Troy [=McClure=] pats little Tommy at the end.
371--->'''Tommy:''' You're...hurting...me.
372** [[Characters/TheSimpsonsHomerSimpson Homer Simpson]] often [[PetTheDog does this to Bart]].
373* ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekLowerDecks'': In "Second Contact", Ensign [[Characters/StarTrekLowerDecksBeckettMariner Beckett Mariner]] ruffles Ensign Boimler's hair just after she introduces herself to Ensign Tendi.
374* ''Franchise/StarWars'':
375** ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'': Waxer pats and rubs [[HeartwarmingOrphan Numa]]'s head to comfort her on several occasions.
376** ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'': At the beginning of [[Recap/StarWarsRebelsS3E13TrialsOfTheDarksaber "Trials of the Darksaber"]], Sabine pets Chopper when he calls her to the meeting and he purrs like a cat in response.
377* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': [[Characters/StevenUniverseGarnet Garnet]] pats Steven fairly often, enough so that it is seen in the opening. While all the Gems are very affectionate towards Steven, it's especially noticeable due to Garnet's normally stoic demeanor.
378* ''WesternAnimation/{{Teen Titans|2003}}'': "Call All Titans": Jericho reaches down and pats an exhausted Beast Boy on the head after he climbs all the way to the top of the mountain to give Jericho a communicator.
379* ''WesternAnimation/AThousandAndOneAmericas'': In the thirteenth episode, a Chimu girl gently caresses Chris' red hair, as she likes it and never saw someone whose hair had that color before. She even asks him if the color is dyed (he says it isn't).
380* ''WesternAnimation/TomAndJerry'': "Professor Tom" has Tom teaching mousing to a kitten. When the kitten does a good job, he gets a pat on the head.
381* ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'':
382** Duncan doesn't care much for the introduction session in "[[Recap/TotalDramaNotSoHappyCampersPartOne Not So Happy Campers - Part 1]]" and distracts himself by restraining a deer around the neck and giving it a noogie.
383** In response to Chris's list of Wild West movie clichés in "[[Recap/TotalDrama310ToCrazytown 3:10 to Crazytown]]", Beth excitedly asks about the pretty dames. Chris shouts back at her that it's none of her beeswax, then laughs and strokes her over the head as he answers that they're usually at the saloon.
384** Chris teasingly gives Heather a noogie in "[[Recap/TotalDramaCelebrityManhuntsTDAReunionShow Celebrity Manhunt's TDA Reunion Show]]" when he calls her, Alejandro, and the other contestants dupes.
385** Chris initially likes Sierra's compliments in "[[Recap/TotalDramaBroadwayBaby Broadway, Baby!]]", but wants no more of it when she brings up embarrassing details from early in his career. To get her to shut up, he smiles gently and pats her on the head, then turns the final pat into a shove away from him.
386* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersRescueBots'': Cody is frequently the recipient of headpats and hair tousles by every human adult on the show.
387* ''WesternAnimation/XiaolinShowdown'': As the smallest monk, Omi is occasionally on the receiving end from other characters. Most notably, [[EvilMentor Chase Young]] gently pats or strokes Omi's head whenever he is trying to convince Omi to join the side of evil, much to Omi's confusion each time. Omi is much more receptive to Chase petting his head after Chase [[ForcedTransformation turns Omi into one of his cats]]. In the alternate timeline, the good version of Chase also has the habit of patting Omi's head, although the gesture feels much more unambiguously affectionate and genuine coming from him.
388[[/folder]]
389
390[[folder:Other]]
391* The word "cafuné" is Brazillian Portuguese for lovingly patting, stroking, and/or playing with another person's hair.
392* Pets, especially cats. Cats also have scent glands on their heads, which is why they headbutt other cats as well as people to mark them. This, combined with the trope, most probably influenced the image of cats as cuddly and affectionate.
393[[/folder]]

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