It's important to read the cat's signals. If it starts whisking its tail back and forth or flattening its ears when you try to interact with it, give it some space. Keep in mind that cats don't necessarily want to be touched a lot. When you do pet the cat, pet it under its chin and avoid its belly and tail. Also, avoid staring at the cat since it might see that as aggressive. Instead, try sitting near the cat, looking at it sideways, and blinking to show it that you're not a threat.