I think really you want to touch him in that special place.

By avoiding an emotional situation you are still controlling the emotion because you are choosing to not let the emotion control you.

another example-- my depression -- there are certain situations that create a massive wobble in me, i have learned most of these triggers and even new ones that appear i have ways of controlling them now which makes them go away within 5 minutes.
in effect i am controlling the emotion and not letting it dictate my thinking or actions