Hugs
When I was a child, Best Beloved, the only people you hugged were female relatives, while male relatives patted you on the head and sometimes there was a 10 shilling note to go spend on something nice. Yes I’m that old, get over it.When I was a teenager the only people you hugged, very shyly, were boys and they usually started it and since they wanted to take the hug as far as it could go you couldn’t really relax and enjoy the moment.
There’s been a hug revolution and finally even the English succumbed and now when you are introduced to people you’re expected to wrap yourself round them AND exchange kisses.
Men hug men, women hug women and of course men and women hug each other. One extreme to the other.
Probably because I’m old enough to remember 10 shilling notes I don’t hug easily and am still slightly alarmed when a total stranger comes into my personal space. No denying, though, a hug when you’re down is a very nice thing. A hug when you’re delighted is good, too. I looked up hugging and learned this:
A hug, depending on culture, context and relationship, indicates familiarity, affection, friendship, sympathy, happiness when re-united, or gratitude. A hug can range from a brief one second squeeze with the arms not fully round the friend, to an extended hold.
A hug is primarily friendly, but the extended hold can come perilously close to cuddling. A person expecting a hug and finding themselves in a cuddle could feel threatened and for this reason some schools are banning hugging. Many from the 10 shilling generation still eye them askance.
Hugs are proven to be unexpectedly effective at healing sickness, disease, loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress.
Warning: rushing up to hug a total stranger could cause them anxiety and stress.
Comments (34)
This past summer, during one of the hottest days here, a lady that sells food on the side of the street with an umbrella over, she hugged me, Whew! she wreaked of armpit smell, and in hugging me, she must've got all heated up inside or something, because when she hugged me, I could her breathing in my ear, heavily, kind of like how Darth Vader of Star Wars breathes.
I could HEAR her breathing in my ear,
I guess they should carry a shower requirement with them, even though sometimes spontaneous is best and I guess if you had liked the person you wouldn't have minded holding your breath for 10 seconds. Comes down to whether you like someone, doesn't it?
I don't know if I liked her or not. I didn't really know her too well, but I do like some of the Star Wars movies, so that could be a positive, I guess.
Meanwhile, I send you a hug. And don't worry, I took a bath, yesterday.
Sad but true....
Blame the Russians, They started it with their bear hugs.
You are lovely to hug, I can testify to that, her loss!
Funny thing, Russian wives are offered on every website, Russian men are never offered for sale as husbands
I wouldn't hug total strangers, I don't see the point of it. Neither do I snog them
But myself and my friends would nearly always hug each others when leaving, or meeting, each other.
And yet I find myself hungering for a friendly hug. I'm a short step away from tackling strangers and confirming I am completely insane in the eyes of my new neighbours.
This too will pass.
Oh well.....
Molly
You have your Art to give all those hugs you have saved up over the years
Art would be teddy bear and I'd squeezed him till he can't breathe!
Blessed Christmas for you.
Oh yes, I m not older than dirt,
I do believe in hugs but no not with strangers unless I think they have money that is easy to take
I am just kidding of course, or am i
would you like a hug
Emmy, kisses are occasionally a bit slobbery, you can't go wrong with a good hug.
Well, so far as I can remember, anyway.
Wen, you can have a good fumble for money if you like
Cach, for a long time I wasn't prepared to touch anyone unless I was up for the whole physical shebang but the revolution got me too. Cuddling is reserved only for special people still
Mind you while I have this hankering I probably wouldn't object to a cuddle if the hug mutated.
I did meet a man for coffee a few months ago, and he was a lovely bear-hugger
I didn't trhink hugging a total stranger causes stress lol
Gotta be true bcoz see how the person stares at you after you hug a stranger lol
Christmas hugz for you, Elegs
n a Merry Christmas :)
Wishing you all the best in sunny Spain.
How I miss the snow!
Molly, hmm, was that in September? Bear-huggers should be passed around, they are lovely.
Wanyiwa, so long as the supply doesn't run out, family and kids are the best to hug
Hey, SPCTR - Merry Christmas to you, and returning your hug
Daniela, I very seriously toyed with the idea of driving up into the Sierra Nevada and building a snowman under the blue sky in the sun. It's an hour's drive. But I'm working instead. South African, Scottish and Spanish salutations to you, and we shall have to make a plan for 2018.