Comments on: Are You a Hugger?

By: Elliott

Elliott — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 04:11:39 +0000

I don’t touch people period unless 1) i have to or 2) i cant help it.
Having to touch someone for me would be a case where I approach a fellow male who has extended his hand, then of course it would be awfully rude not to reciprocate. If I hug someone, it is someone I consider to be close and special. I remember though one particular day running into a friend who I hadn’t seen in nearly a year-and-a-half who caught me off guard and wanted a hug before we parted ways. This is a case where i will make an exception to my “no-touch” rule because I still consider this person to be a close friend. Hugging strangers though…NO!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 20:13:44 +0000

:good: I feel like you do… will you be my friend? LOL I’m so glad I found your blog. I was reading this post, thinking, Yes… yes… YES… ! I have a few hug-er friends, and one I never got used to huging me — but she knew I always jumped back, so it became a joke where she would jump to hug me, and then jump back. lol Another friend of mine is very huggy, but for some reason, I’ve come to peace with her hugs and I even (gulp) offer one myself when she visits and I haven’t seen her for awhile.

And, I don’t go to church, but… is this, like, common? Everyone just hugging each other? And being told to hug the person next to you? I’m sorry, but that really seems creepy to me. What ever happened to personal space? I only hug *certain* family, and very, very close friends. My kids, of course, but that is different… those hugs are always just so warm and wonderful. No second thoughts there! But strangers? Um no…

All this to say… I hear you!

A non-hugging blogger,

Rachel

By: Raehan

Raehan — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 18:14:16 +0000

I hug friends. My church is not huggy, and thank goodness for that.

But here, :friends:

friends hug when they feel like it.

I like how kids hug–so hard they fall down to the floor.

By: clara

clara — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:44:49 +0000

I think it is rude to assume that I or anyone else wants a hug from someone they don’t know (Here is my preschool teacher disclaimer…unless you are under the age of 5!). I hug my friends and I hug my family and I hug my students freely. If I dont know you, I don’t want to hug you. Hugs to you, Leanne!

By: carmen

carmen — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 12:53:10 +0000

With my family, hugging is ok. With friends, I like it less, but I was in a sorority in college, and they’re ALL huggers, so I kind of learned to live with it. 🙂

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 12:43:52 +0000

…er, it is spelled “acquired”, not the other two versions of the word that I used in my previous comment.
I have got to start using cntrl+ when I comment over here so that I can see what I’m typing!!! sorry

By: tiger

tiger — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 06:13:40 +0000

If you were to go to my Church (which is open every day and night of the week including Sundays) you would quickly get over the hugging phobia for my “church” is the milonga where we dance Argentine Tango. It is danced in a very close embrace and often with strangers. However, we change partners every 6-9 minutes so even an uncomfortable hug will not last very long. Unfortunately, neither do the heavenly ones:)

By: Paige

Paige — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 04:01:18 +0000

Ditto on only hugging close friends and relatives! Although I slipped the other week when I saw a friend that I hadn’t seen in over two years. I gave a big ol’ hug to a non-hugger. I couldn’t help it! I was so happy to see her. We usually worked side by side at my old job (over five years). She is a great friend and I miss working with her!

Needless to say I did the “hug approach” and she stayed perfectly still with a fake grin on her face. She did attempt to return the hug with one hand (a very light brush on my arm). I have to say she was very tactful about it. Sometimes you forget who is a hugger and who is a non-hugger. I liked MommaK’s suggestion! LOL.

By: MommaK

MommaK — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 01:31:26 +0000

Hug only when you have the urge. Avoid squishy stranger hugs at all costs. I use the “step on the foot” method. As they are coming in for the hug, you act like you are going to reciprocate. Carefully step to them and place your foot over theirs – hard. It was cause a jolt and usually change the whole hugging mood. It works for me every time 🙂