[InkyPen]

My Syrian is so keen on coming out for playtime / cuddles (this usually involves her running riot over me / the bed / the sofa inbetween stroking) that she usually climbs onto my hand when I put it onto her cage, so she can be lifted out.

I'd argue that a hamster that is tame and handled will tend to experience less stress from being around humans than a ham that never gets to leave its cage and doesn't associate humans near its cage with nice things. That said, they do need some peace and quiet - everything in moderation!