Her positive attitude 'rubbed off' on other people. [=other people began to have a positive attitude from being around her]
We 'rubbed' the steaks with spices before we grilled them. = We 'rubbed' spices onto the steaks before we grilled them.
It's bad enough that he beat me, but the way he keeps talking about it is just 'rubbing salt in the wound'.
(..) Yeah, yeah, yeah. You said you're partners, so what's your business? Well... he is a tax attorney. And he's an anesthesiologist. How come these faggots always have to rub it in your face? How can they be so shameless? That's the whole thing, Dad. They don't feel that's anything to be ashamed of. (..)1999 American Beauty