As mentioned already, some orthodox jews will not touch a strange woman. I believe that the reason for this is that a woman (including a wife) is considered unclean while she is menstruating and it is taboo to touch her. As a jew would not know what part of her cycle a woman was at, he would have to act on the safe side. He would be quite happy to touch his wife (except during her period) or any female who was obviously outside child-bearing age.