Personally, I think everyone should live in a personal bubble. I like my space. 18 inches is just about right. And when people invade my bubble, well, I tend to get a bit hostile. My shoulders tense, and I kinda feel like giving the intruder a small shove–you know, nothing overly aggressive, just enough to land them on their tails, so that I can run :). But… then then again I’ve been know to hug random strangers too. Which, I totally get, is a contradiction that I have ZERO defense for.
So, when I ran across a pretty funny article on The Washington Post about a case against hugging, I couldn’t help but chuckle. The author wanted to know when it became socially acceptable to by-pass all the rules of getting to know someone and just leaning in and pressing your body against theirs? She even wrote letters to all of her potential offenders, explaining her case. Germs and lack of intimacy were at the top of her list against hugs–she even suggested that studies have shown a fist bump to be the most hygienic greeting {least exchange of germs}. As a result, from now on, I will only be fist bumping people. I cannot wait to see the look on the other suburbanite moms’ faces when I fist bump them at the next PTA meeting. It. Will. Be. My. Finest. Hour.
I agree with the article, hugging it out used to be reserved for intimate occasions. Now, it seems we hug when we meet, we hug when we leave. Hug, hug, hug. What’s a confessed space monger to do? Guess I am going to have to rethink hugging strangers…at least I will always have the fist bump.
~Mavis
Butterflyweed says
I HATE having to hug everybody! I feel hugging should be only for those you share DNA with and your significant other. I do it only to fit in with what others expect. I try to go for the side hug as much as I can because it feels so sleazy to smash my boobs on men other than my husband.
Sarah says
I’m comfortable with receiving hugs and I don’t mind people in my bubble most of the time, but when I visited my brother in Spain all the kissing really threw me for a loop. Everyone greeted everyone with dos besos. I got used to it, but for the first few days all the kissing seemed more intimate than even I felt comfortable with.
I have a n in-law who absolutely hates hugging and unfortunate for her, my family is very huggy. Her family is not . It seems a lot if one’s comfort with affection stems from their family culture.
Jeannine says
The clown is really freaking me out! He’s very scary looking and he needs a teeth whitening product 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Awesome!
Cecily says
Hugging random total strangers is creepy. That being said, I have been known to hug people I have just met that I share a spiritual connection with. I have friends that I consider family and I hug them as well. If I don’t want a hug the standard crossed arms work most of the time.
Jenny says
I don’t like to be touched by people. My family is about all I tolerate. I have been known to tell people who lean in for a hug, “No touching.” Churches can be one of the worse places for hugging and I work for a church. All the people who attend there know the no touching rule. Everyone has their quirks and this is mine.
Heather says
I love the fact that I’m not the only person that does not enjoy hugging. I have a very strict hula hoop space ,and I’m very picky about that space. I always feel socially awkward. Another peeve is winking. How are you suppose to respond? Do you reciprocate? Ahhh the madness!
Mavis Butterfield says
Winking gives me the shivers!!!!
Jen Y says
I love hugs but only with people I know well & only with people who like to be hugged in return.
Here are a few ways I’ve learned to deflect unwanted hugs without being too rude.
-turn sideways when you see the hug coming & just give a half hug. or
-with your left hand, firmly but gently grab their right forearm at the same time you grasp their hand to do a handshake. There’s something about coming in with both hands to shake that seems to mark your personal space.