Do you like to hug, or be hugged?
Did you know that hugs are good for you?
When did you last hug someone, just because you could?
Do you generally hug people when you meet them, or are you more a shaking hands kind of person?
Are hugs appropriate in all situations?
I would love to hear your thoughts and views, watch out for the next post in a couple of days when I will share my thoughts plus more information.
Hugs are vital to life! Without the sharing of human contact then we lose something of ourselves BUT we have to be careful.
My family is a warm, loving, tactile set of people but I also know some families who are equally warm and loving but are not tactile at all.
You have to be sure that your hug will be appreciated and also welcome; which may change from situation to situation even with the same person.
I try always to assess the situation first – am I doing this for them or for me?
If I think it is mainly for me then I wait for them to make the approach
Do you like to hug, or be hugged? OF COURSE!
Did you know that hugs are good for you? I DIDN’T, BUT CAN UNDERSTAND WHY.
When did you last hug someone, just because you could? THIS MORNING.
Do you generally hug people when you meet them, or are you more a shaking hands kind of person? DEPENDS ON SITUATION.
Are hugs appropriate in all situations? NOT GENERALLY IN BUSINESS – AT LEAST UNTIL YOU KNOW THE PERSON WELL. AND EVEN THEN, FEWER MEN WOULD HUG (ESPECIALLY ANOTHER MAN) THAN WOMAN (MY PERCEPTION ANYWAY!)
Hugs are great to give and receive, normally to people I know, although in certain circumstances like great sadness, human contact transcends all situations!!
1. Yes
2. Definitely
3. Today (My Wife)
4. Not as a rule
5. No
Hugs are good. I do not believe you can do it all the time, like in business situations.
Julia,
Hugs I like, but I didn’t know they were good for me – perhaps I’ll try a few more!
Last hug (just because I could) would almost certainly have been with a family member. In general, shaking hands is more usual for me and I don’t see hugs always being appropriate.
Next “boardroom” might see a different approach.
Kind regards,
Dave
I couldn’t live without touch. I am so aware of the fact that older people loose this sense and it must create such lonliness. I try to hug the older generation as much as I can. I know we have to be careful that we don’t invade people’s space, but I notice that Ecademy people tend to be quite huggy people! It is a real joy to have a hug and I cannot get enough – so HUG me next time you see me please Julia. xx
I live between Spain and Sweden nowadays. In Spain, hugging is a fact of life but in Sweden people would such rusty razor blades rather than hug anybody other than a VERY close friend or family member.
Hugs are great, under certain circumstances. So not appropriate in all situatios and to all generations, or at your job, sexually insulting.
Last time, my girlfriend right now, she just got back from friends. Thats the greatest hug, these 5 sek, when we meet, feel each others body, looking into smiling eyes, smelling each other, kissing – telling each other, we are here, together, right now, and thats great. These 5 sek before we rush of to something else.
Hugh to you
Lynge
I do like to be hugged and I do like to hug. I do think a hug is more than shaking hands, particularly when meeting people for the first time or if my meeting with the individual is about business, I feel a hug is too much. I would wonder the motives of a man hugging me at a business introduction and/or meeting.
If I am meeting someone in a casual, friendly setting and feel a bond, I might feel comfortable hugging afterwards. So I do not believe that hugs are appropriate in every situation.
Hope this helps and contact me at any time.
Pamela Mayer
JULIA,
Each of us is different because of our early childhood conditioning and until we erase this conditioning we can hardly be expected to know what is appropriate behaviour or not.
Hugs are certainly good for everybody and actually stimulate the nervous and immune systems in a positive way. The same way as laughing or smiling act on the body/mind system.
Hugging is always appropriate if it feels right and sometimes people would love to be hugged but lack the “hugging,” experience or courage to drop their guard for a little bit.
Consequently I’m more a hugging type of person but I also shake hands when I see it is called for.
Did you know that shaking hands came originally from the tradition that when you shook someone’s hands it was just to show them that you did not have a weapon in your hand; not such a friendly way to greet someone after all. Also the Namaste in the East was also to show that you did not have a weapon in either hand.
Cheers
SAM
Julia
Always appreaciate a hug but you hit the nail on the head when is it appropriate, sometimes in a business environment it can be quite off putting for many. But we are people after all and providied we have a level of permission then that is where it fits with buisness. As for everyday life hug all your freinds(and family, always giving the kids a hug as they grow up fast) it always helps
regrads
peter
I like to be hugged and also to give hugs to the right people. I have never considered if they are good for me or not. However I have noted that a masculine hug between mates is not quite common and I always hug buddies when I meet up with them, usually with a slap on the back too, maybe they are more like a bear-hug!
Last hug was last night. I think on first contact I am a hand shaker but once personal links have been formed hug for males and a cheek kiss for females is more my style. So I guess not appropriate in all situations due to personal space and the sensitivity of contact in the early stages.
In general there is something nice about a hug as a greeting and it helps to make you feel and act closer and lower barriers. Like the site by the way, here have a virtual hug.
Thanks for all the comments. Some interesting thoughts there, really great
‘Fraid I’m permanently infected with huggamania…can’t get enough of ‘em.
As to appropriateness, in some cultures you have to be a bit wary but in the main, I find that it’s a bit like smiling or starting a conversation; there’s sometimes a slight hesitancy on the potential hugees part when they realise that a hug might be on its way, but usually they recipricate and sweet empathy flows followed by big grins all round.
Wonderful!
Hugs are essential. I certainly can’t live a rich fulfilling life without lots of them. Have one from me a distance right now!
Hugging is great and it is interesting that I find that in the USA men seem more comfortable about hugging than in the UK the same is true in France and Italy so why are we Brits so scared.
Hug your kids every day as they need it
A handshake and a grip on the shoulder at the same time is a half way house so try it next time you see a friend.
The more hugging the better it make a happier world and breaks down the barriers that we seem to surround ourselves with.
Go for it and hug someone new today
I live between Spain and Sweden nowadays. In Spain, hugging is a fact of life but in Sweden people would such rusty razor blades rather than hug anybody other than a VERY close friend or family member.
In my education “hugging” was “not done”…
Something like “a man doesn’t show his feelings”.
(old-fashioned)Cultural restrictions I think.
I found out feelings are to be recognized…
Great we communicate nowadays with so many different people
all around the globe.
Let’s open up, and hug.
Hugs,
Hans