It is in the "cat behavior and psychology" books. When cats like something
or someone they look at it with narrowed eyes. When humans dislike
something or someone they look at it with narrowed eyes. Therefore
cat think people who do not like them, like them, and go right to them.

Sure, and that doesn't contradict my point.  The cat probably likes the
boyfriend.

It's known as conversion. Same thing happened with a guy my sister dated in
High School. THe upshot was they finally broke up, but he became a cat
person.

Exactly!

....and also because a cat hater ignores the cat which allows her to check
out the person in her own good time without him trying to pet or pick her
up.  The cat lovers are usually all over the cat - which can overwhelm her.
The cat hater leaves her alone - which makes her feel more secure.

Cats display the same cautious behavior with any new items in the house.

Phil

There seems to be some form of bizarre dyslexia in the group.  I never said
the bf likes the cat.  I said the cat likes the bf.

Shamrock hovers around my dad when he's here. My dad isn't exactly a
"hater" but isn't a fan of cats. My mother OTOH, calls and calls him
and he still hovers around my dad, even attempting to jump on his
lap. lol I tell my dad he has to at least acknowledge Shamrock, or
else he'll never leave him alone. :)

.

Explanation according to Desmond Morris in "Catwatching"- I had to
look this up for a friend recently, someone told him that cats
"attack" people who don't like them because they are "evil"

Forgive that I am quoting from memory.

Basically cat walks into room in pursuit of place to snooze. Room
contains one cat hater and an unspecified number of cat lovers. Cat
lovers start:-

Making a lot of noise
Staring
Patting their laps

But this cat wants somewhere quiet to sleep and besides staring is
intimidating to cats. Those people are making too much noise and
patting their laps suggests that if cat gets up there they are going
to make a fuss when all cat wants is a warm lap and some sleep

In the corner sits that cat hater. He/She isn't making a lot of noise,
they're looking away which suits the cat, his/her lap is perfectly
still....

This suits the cat who jumps up......

Apparently, people who are scared of cats (No-one on this list!)
should if they wish to win the approval of cat lovers and hide their
shameful secret, go into overdrive when they see a cat, with the
widest stare, the loudest cries of "Here kitty!" and the most vigorous
lap patting

Lesley

Slave of the Fabulous Furballs