Are you a hugger?

[bubie2.5]

No, I am not a hugger, a kisser, a toucher or a feeler.

I feel weird when someone hugs me for no apparent reason. If you aren't a member of my family, there is no reason for you to be huggng me, either. I do make exceptions for friends I haven't seen in a long time.

Same here.

 

[Keli]

I am a hugger. I don't go out hugging random strangers or anything but I think nothing of hugging a friend and I hug all family members when saying goodbye.

I think hugging must have a lot to do with your personality and not just your environment (coming from a huggie family) because I've noticed something about my dsis' three sons. The oldest son doesn't volunteer a hug when you walk in the door but he obviously doesn't mind if you offer one. Her middle son will run out from his bedroom or wherever he is and come flying up with his arms open wide for a hug and her youngest son runs and hides if he thinks you're about to hug him, lol.

I think the youngest is coming around though. His birthday was last week and when I came for the party he was so excited he let me pick him up for a hug (I made it very brief, as painless as possible for him, lol).

 

[deekaypee]

Nope, not a hugger. My family's not particularly expressive, nor close. At my brother's wedding, I shook his hand. In my defense, it was a two-handed clasp!

My DH is similarly reserved in public. He comes from a huggie family, though, and they're always trying to encourage us to hug them more. (Interestingly, my MIL asked my DH to refrain from PDA when we were getting serious because it made her uncomfortable. At that time, when we were at our most head-over-heels infatuated as well as making moves to live together, our PDA consisted of holding hands, having our arms around one another, and a brief kiss on the lips hello or goodbye.)

Anyway, I'm not particularly close to my ILs, in part because I don't see them very often, so I've worked on perfecting the "shoulder hug" as an alternative. As for friends, well, it takes years for me to feel that comfortable. Once I do, though, I forget I ever hesitated. I guess I'm just much more verbally than physically expressive.

 

[disykat]

I am not a hugger. I generally only hug people I haven't seen in a long time. I might hug a DISer I met though - depending on if they were someone I had a connection with.

What I really hate - as far as touching goes - is someone rubbing my back. I prefer to leave that to dh, a professional, or maybe someone I'm really close to. It just feels intimate to me.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I like to hug and get hugs from certain people, and there are others who I'd rather not. One can usually tell what category they fit into because if I don't want a hug I get stiff as a board. Strangers defiinitly fit into the no hug category. I am married to a man who cannot stand hugs, to be touched, etc. I am lucky that I get to hug and kiss him and that's usually only when it leads to something else.

 

[mickeyboat]

What I really hate - as far as touching goes - is someone rubbing my back. I prefer to leave that to dh, a professional, or maybe someone I'm really close to. It just feels intimate to me.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I had a co-worker who used to massage my shoulders every time he came into my office. What's up with that?

Denae

 

[RitaZ.]

I think hugging must have a lot to do with your personality and not just your environment (coming from a huggie family) because I've noticed something about my dsis' three sons. The oldest son doesn't volunteer a hug when you walk in the door but he obviously doesn't mind if you offer one. Her middle son will run out from his bedroom or wherever he is and come flying up with his arms open wide for a hug.

They sound almost like my kids. My oldest is the only one that won't go out of his way to give hugs, but will welcome them. The other two are huggers. My middle child is like your sister's middle child, he drops whatever he is doing and comes running to give hugs.

 

[disneymama73]

Hmm, we're both touchy-feely, huh? Maybe we should get the guys some and comfy chairs...

Ya think they're watching?

 

[RitaZ.]

I had a co-worker who used to massage my shoulders every time he came into my office. What's up with that?

Denae

Well, that's just inappropriate. That's one thing that this hugger will not do.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Ya think they're watching?

I think we may have to give them a gentle nudge...

 

[txSleepingBeauty]

nope not a hugger...if someone is upset, then I'll (reluctantly) hug them, thinking the whole time "pat, pat, release"...my mom's the same way. the only person I really like to hug is the Lils....

I hate when customers at work try to pat me or hug me, I just want to yell "3 feet people, get away from me!!"

 

[Briarmom]

I don't mind a quick hug, but overall I don't really like people in my space.

And here I hugged you the minute we met in real life.

I do hug. I am worried that my kids will start hugging and kissing everyone on both cheeks when we get back to the US from living overseas. In Europe I also tend to kiss on the cheeks after I've met the person...here I have not done that yet.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I didn't care much for hugging people outside my family until I started teaching first grade. I didn't have any problem adjusting to all the kids wanting hugs, but it took me awhile to get used to the moms. Now I'm a confirmed hugger.

 

[Jrsy Boy]

I think we may have to give them a gentle nudge...

You two talk a good game, but...

 

[Tigger&Belle]

OK, I started out reading the replies and then I figured that I'd better reply first and then read this time. In general, I am not a hugger unless it's my immediate family or extended family and they are first arriving for a visit or are leaving.

We belong to a dinner group and a lot of the people are huggers there and that is a bit odd to me, but I play along even though I do not initiate.

Having said that, luv, if I ever meet you, you'd better just deal with it, because I don't know that I'd be able to not give you a hug. And that goes for Shug and teva, too. So just suck it up and take your punishment, ok? Of course you're going to weenie out of a meeting, especially after me saying that, so you don't have much to worry about.

As far as the smilies, I use the hugging ones all the time. To me it's a show of support, and I find them easy to give out. But I'm a smilie person in general.

So Junie, are you going to come to our next get together, whenever that is?


Oh, my 6 1/2 yo is such a hugger and I've noticed that he's finally growing out of it a little with his friends. I was worried that I'd start getting calls from the school. He just doesn't get the whole personal space thing, even though I've explained it to him until I'm blue in the face.

 

[Robinrs]

I am a BIG hugger and my son is twice me!! I grew up with my sister who doesn't like anyone... except men ... to touch her. I have learned the look of a non hugger and don't hug them.

My son LOVES to hug and I rarely can get past him without getting one! Thank GOD I love them or he'll drive me crazy! And he's 6 inches taller than me!!

I remember in the first grade, Michael was in a program where the children were presented bibles by our pastor in church. All of the children walked across the stage, got their bible and shook the pastor's hand. MY KID got the bible, got ahold of his waistline and gave him the biggest hug imaginable. The whole place went awwwwww and the pastor nearly cried. It was a wonderful moment.

Today we're just too big ol' loveable huggers who have each other if no one else wants to hug us!!

 

[luvmydogs]

... luv, if I ever meet you, you'd better just deal with it, because I don't know that I'd be able to not give you a hug. And that goes for Shug and teva, too. So just suck it up and take your punishment, ok? Of course you're going to weenie out of a meeting, especially after me saying that, so you don't have much to worry about. ....

Aaaaack! Don't touch me!!!!!

However, I will go to any meets where there will be weenies...

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Aaaaack! Don't touch me!!!!!

However, I will go to any meets where there will be weenies...

Oh yeah I forgot to add, that when I meet you Luv, and I know someday I will, you are getting one great big bear hug.

and maybe a kiss if you are lucky

 

[luvmydogs]

Oh yeah I forgot to add, that when I meet you Luv, and I know someday I will, you are getting one great big bear hug.

and maybe a kiss if you are lucky

 

[JunieJay]

What I really hate - as far as touching goes - is someone rubbing my back. I prefer to leave that to dh, a professional, or maybe someone I'm really close to. It just feels intimate to me.

Oh man. I'd have to knock someone out for doing that. Eewwwww! Hugging is one thing, I'll take 'em from whoever wants to give me one (within reason, of course ) but don't even THINK about rubbing my back.