[jgalloway___]

I had an experience in Hawaii while I was on a scuba tour.

In retrospective I kind of wish it hadn't happened but I appreciate that I have experience to share:

The PADI divemaster located one while we were scouting a reef and chased it out with knife then placed it on my hand. I disagree that the experience was forced upon the octopus now .. I respect them; they are very intelligent.

Anyway -- in my hand it expressed itself with touch. Initially tightening and posing itself in a drawn-back manner it spread on my hand and decided I was safe to explore. Our eyes met and my body relaxed. The octopus began to relax.

A tentacle wrapped around my wrist almost reassuringly. The octopus let me know I was not food. He / she seemed content to just hang out but I chose to let the encounter deescalate and put my hand near a rock then slowly unwound his / her tentacle.

The octopus seemed to understand my intent (my fear?) and glided over to the nearby rock to watch me go.