Are cats really attracted to people who dislike cats? Yes. The reason is that cat lovers and likers like to look at cats (they are so beautiful aren’t they and they make us smile). The more a person loves cats the more (s)he is likely to look at a cat and make eye contact.
Cats find a direct stare disconcerting (incidentally, my cat does not find it disconcerting so this characteristic varies from cat to cat).
When cats do the old suma-style, show down, pre-fight routine….they stare at each other until one of them turns away and in slow motion walks off. The slow movement is to keep face and integrity. The potential conflict is resolved peaceably.
People who don’t like cats are less likely to look at them and perhaps even less likely to make eye contact.
The domestic cat sees this as politeness and therefore he/she approaches to socialize with the person who dislikes him. The way of nature.
It seems to be a mistake of nature but it is two species interacting who wouldn’t normally in the wild.
The truth is probably more refined than as I have stated. The domestic cat has become sociable and adopted some human traits. I think if a cat is very close to their caretaker they get used to being looked at and are relaxed with it. The hardwired responses are pushed out of the mind.
Me too Michael, I’d kill anyone who tried to hurt one of our cats, I really would!