Good question, and for the record, if Ziggy DIDN'T bite a stranger I would feel cut to the quick....
While it is no doubt true that some hammies will always avoid too much contact and not be into cuddling and petting, I think that in small increments the taming is ongoing.
Today was the first day in my picking him up for going on three months that he actually sat in my cupped hands while I gave him a petting, but then actually relaxed and adjusted his feet so that he was sitting quite comfortably instead of looking for a moment to escape the petting and run.
He's been very good accepting petting till now, and even being held, but he's impatient and petting is not on his schedule. Today was more or less as if he said....hand is good, hand not bad....hand is cozy. Good please to catch my breath before OFF I GO AGAIN!!!!
It was just a total shift in his demeanor when being held. Settling in as it were, and looking at me. As opposed to the hammy thing of even when held he always prefers to look away and out at the world he is being deprived of exploring? Kinda suprising to me.
Taming seems to be like that though, and some are slower than others. It doesn't ever seem to be the same constant though....I imagine as he ages a bit all the running around might be less interesting than treats and petting...? or not......
Till now, when he hears me, I still assume its to get out and play, and he wouldn't care who let him out. Since I live alone, I can't tell how he would respond to strangers yet....I think it takes them a lot to want to deal with huge giant creatures that stink bearing gifts....