"Dear fans,
"After nightmares and many worried thoughts, I decided to write this letter in reaction to the negative messages that are going around about me on the Internet. Messages that hurt me very much because they're either not true or they are based on the interpretation of a person with different expectations. I feel the need to explain myself to hopefully stop the negative reactions.
"I am a humble person. Happy with what I am doing and grateful for all the support.
"When I have the opportunity to meet fans that support me, I always try to do so. However, sometimes it's not possible to meet. This is not because I don't want to, but more because time or energy doesn't allow it. It's nothing personal.
"Next to this, I must stress out that my reason of being on tour is to play good shows! Meeting fans and taking pictures is an extra I would like to offer when time and energy allow it. It's not something a fan can presume to have…
"If I meet people and I ask not to touch me, this again is nothing personal. I don't like it. Some people (in general) are more physical than others and I am not comfortable with touching strangers or being grabbed. There are dozens of people every day who want this and I try to politely tell people not to touch. It's a personal boundary I ask people to respect. If you're a fan, you should be able to respect this.
"During the first show in Brazil, I almost tumbled over on stage because I lost my balance at the moment more than a 100 people at the same time used their flash on their photo cameras. I asked people to stop using flash because of that, in a nice way… I had to repeat this request a few times. I am not asking it to nag about something….only because we as a band cannot do the show well with it.
"I am asking for understanding and respect. I'm sad that some people got mad and called me a diva for it.
"Filming during shows is not allowed. But everyone does it, so it almost became normal.
"If you, as a fan of us, want to film something of the show, I think you should do that. But if you want to film the entire show, I must say no. I also say no to people who film on stage, with the camera too close. It's intimidating and distracting and the person holding it is not rocking along with us, he or she is just standing there, focusing on making a bootleg.
"Is that support for a band? Is that having a great time?
"It would please all of us on stage if the focus is more on the moment and not on making pictures and films for later or Internet.
"Now, I hope I have been able to explain why some things are the way they are. And that I love touring, making music, doing shows and meeting fans.
"I am not an arrogant bitch But if you think that I am, based on a brief moment, because you got disappointed and I was not able to meet your expectations, I ask you to reconsider these expectations and to look at the same situation again, also a bit through my eyes. I try to understand you as well. I understand you waited and want a moment with me. That is why I do my best to meet people as much as possible (for example: meet-and-greets every day and photos and autographs with everyone who comes to the hotels and airport). I also try to include our fans into our world by making tour reports. I spend hours on making them. For you!
"So, I hope tonight I can sleep better knowing I told you this. Asking for mutual understanding and respect."

See, here’s what I have a problem with, people’s ignorance and lack of empathy. And personally I think that the affection/fan issue with Floor-and Metal Women in general- breaks down into three main points. The first being regional difference in displaying affection, the second being ‘stranger danger’ and the third being, personal preference.
Here in America, whether is Canada, the United States or even in South America, people are very affectionate. In European countries, such as Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy, to name a few, they’re also very affectionate. And in those countries a lot of times you’ll see people greeting eachother with a hug or a kiss on the cheek. However, in countries like the Netherlands where Floor is from–and its surrounding countries–public displays of affection just aren’t done. They they aren’t shown to some random person you’ve just met. You’re just not going to go up to a stranger and hug them.
Which brings me to my second point. Strangers. We’ve all at a young age have been given the stranger talk. “Don’t talk to strangers. Or accept anything from them.” And as we grow up we learn that a stranger doesn’t have to look like the boogeyman. A stranger can look like you, a normal person. However, if we’re smart we also know that we ourselves are strangers to someone else. You can’t know someone’s intentions after five minutes.
And that’s the same thing with bands and their live performances. It could be a hundred people or thousands in the audience. The singer DOES NOT know if you are a safe, decent person or a psycho who wishes them harm. Because of that the singer, in this case Floor Jansen, is going to do whatever they feel is appropriate to ensure their safety and well being. Yet since they are famous, it’s seen as “being a bitch,” “being racist,” or if its a man, “being sexist.” However if the situation was reversed and a non celebrity was come up to by a strange person(and if you’re a woman a girl this has no doubt happened to you at least once. At least with myself.) you’d politely(hopefully) decline their advances and keep a safe distance from that other person. And since the declining person isn’t famous,its perfectly fine.
Lastly, the point of personal preference. This detail pretty much goes into an individual’s personal space. We all have it whether we’re introverted and shy or extroverted and outgoing and bubbly.  But one thing stays the same, the fact that we’re going to be more cautious with people outside our group of friends and family than with people we let into our personal bubble. Going back to my first point, we’re not going to be as affectionate, or at all, to people outside our core group. An example is that we could be fun loving and at ease with our best friend and parents and give them all the hugs in the world. On the flip side we’re not going to be like that with a person you’re chatting it up with at the grocery store.  And another example would be this picture:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/Personal_Space.svg
Are you REALLY going to let a total stranger in your personal, intimate space? Answer: NO.
And finally onto the devil’s advocate: I’ve heard people say, “You’ve signed up for this. You’re a singer. Its part of your job to be social and interact with fans and give them hugs.” Newflash, it’s not their job. Yes it would be nice to get a hug from a singer, or musician that’s famous but it’s not going to happen all the time. And if you meet a band, start slow, ask if you can shake ther hand, take a picture and you can go from there. Why make a big deal over nothing?
Yes, I know I’ve gone into a huge rant but I’m just tired of people not understanding and being ignorant. It probably is but is it too much to ask for a little empathy? But anyway I hope you enjoyed this and I really want to know what you think. Just tell me in the comments, even if you disagree or you want to turn into a Grammer, English Nazi and correct what’s wrong with this.
Lots of love,
Sarah