I agree with MowMow...depends on the cat. First off, cats are not like dogs. They want love and attention on their own terms. They will not beg shamelessly to be validated. They come up to you and try to teach you what they want, and if you don't get it, they will walk away from you (insert what they must be thinking...lol). I guess they are giving us time to mull it over.
With my cats, Egypt will headbutt me on my face and want to be petted and scratched near her face, head, and chin. She's not a big fan of petting in the lower half of the body and definitely nowhere near her paws. Every once in a while if she's feeling particularly relaxed, she will lay on her back for belly rubs. I am only allowed to be this affectionate when we're alone. Every now and again, she also likes to be picked up like a toddler (under the pit of the front legs) and hugged closely and rocked back and forth like a baby. When we are around the other cats, she acts very aloof...don't ask!
Azalia is like a dog. She comes up to you and wants to be petted very vigorously everywhere. She purrs, and shortly after drools. She also shakes like dogs do. It's quite funny. If she really likes you, she will begin licking you for hours if you let her. If you don't give her attention, she will headbutt you once and then bite your hair real close to the scalp to tug on it. I call it her "Hey, Dummy! Pet me now" signal
Lacey just plops right on top of you and follows you around wherever you go. She's a cuddler so she wants to be as close as possible in a little ball. When she wants to be petted, she puts her paws together and will grab your hands and put her face under your hands. It's like if you can't get the message now, there is just no hope for you...lol
And finally Sasha, he is a bit skittish unless he knows you. He hides when strangers come over. Once he warms up to people, he walks in and brushes against your hand. If he sees you are ok with it, then he will jump on your lap and wait until he's petted. Once he's done with you, he will jump off and go play. If you're still there later, he will jump right up on you for short bits and then go off to play. Eventually, he will nap on you if you let him also. He likes to be stroked along the body from head to tail, but he's not like the other cats that raise their tail in approval. He makes YOU do the work. He definitely knows who his cat slaves are
