Children with Siblings

When I was younger, I had a very best friend from 1st grade through 12th. We were in every class together for the first 8 years (the benefits of going to a school with one classroom per grade) and then in the same high school. We had a great time together.

However, there was one thing that made me crazy -- she would occasionally spank slap me on the butt. I really, really, really disliked that. It always took me by surprise and felt like more like a punishment rather than a form of affectionate touching. But that is how she meant it -- she was the 2nd of 4 children, each spaced 2 years apart, and they were a rowdy, affectionate, physical bunch. I, on the other hand, am the oldest child with a sister born 6.5 years after me. We were raised that it was *not* okay to hit each other (which we did sometimes -- we would hit each other when our frustration levels with each other got out of control. As the older sister, I got the brunt of the punishment for it.)

Il Tonino is very gentle. It is very rare that he hits anyone or anything. Thus when someone hits or shoves him, he gets very surprised and upset and it usually results in tears. I am starting to notice that when he plays with kids who are the oldest/don't have other siblings old enough to play with, physical rowdyness rarely happens. However, when he interacts with those with older siblings or many siblings, he will sometimes be pushed/shoved or something happens that is not physically nice.

Seems to me this is a trend? Usual? If nothing else, it just makes me want to watch a little bit closer when Il Tonino is playing with others who have siblings. Not in a bad way, just keeping my eye out... I certainly don't think this applies to everyone who has siblings, but that is what I have experienced so far. Your thoughts?