I'm sorry I'm just not a Hugger!

[KristaTX]

When you see it happening, turn it into a chest bump

It might take some practice, but it could work.

Do women really chest bump ? I think that might be more uncomfortable than hugging, and in more ways than one .

I don't mind hugging in general, but there are just certain people I don't like to hug. You know, just those few people (usually of the opposite sex) who you don't see often but who ALWAYS come at you for a hug. It's usually relatives (uncles, cousins - either of mine or my husband), and I just sort of stand back hoping to avoid the physical greetings. But sometimes they come to me anyway and say "Can I get a hug?"
Learn to read the avoidance hints, people!

 

[cheermom1]

I didn't read the replies...I am not hugger myself so I understand ..this is what I do I turn into a side hug with my arm bearly over the shoulder..most people get it right away and don't try to hug me after that...I hope this helps...

 

[onelilspark]

I'm not a hugger. But in my business, it seems everyone is...and it usually includes a kiss on the cheek as well. For me, I just go with it. It's easier to suffer for a second than go through the whole song and dance...plus, in my line of work, I'd be seen as the rude & impersonal one. (I'm in sales, so it's all about "relationships.")

...I rarely initiate a hug unless I want someone to leave me alone

 

[Pakey]

I'm a non hugger, non kisser. Even with my children, spouse and parents. It bothers me enough that I have to say something to prevent anyone stepping in for the contact.

 

[suzimar57]

non-hugger here, too

also non-hand shaker, non-kisser - in short, don't touch me!

most people keep their distance (and germs) to themselves

run into problems at church, during "peace be with you"

those folks just don't understand "distance" - or a simple hand wave...

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Hi Maria

Non hugger checking in!!

You hugged me! Can't wait to give you a big ole hug next time I see you

 

[PlainJane]

Man, can I ever relate.

In South America, I'm expected to kiss EVERY SINGLE PERSON I meet over the course of the day, as both a greeting and a farewell. Honestly, I kiss at least fifty people a day...even my physiotherapist and my kids' teachers. When I go to pick up my kids at school and approach the table with the moms I sit with while waiting, I have to do the circuit around the table kissing the 8-10 women sitting there. Then, when each of us leaves, we have to get up, and repeat this (even if we've only sat there a couple of minutes!) This is then followed by each of the kids going around the table and kissing all the moms. I have, however, been unable to convince either of my DDs to do this (although people are very understanding of us cool, distant North Americans since it's an international school!)

It's strange, though. When I go back to North America, it always strikes me how impersonal our greetings often are (a little wave, maybe a handshake). While I can't say that I love the kissing, it doesn't quite skeeve me out as much as it did when I first arrived here. Maybe in another couple of years, I might actually get used to it.

If it's an on the mouth kiss that you are speaking of, I would choose not to participate, and just be that weird North American. That is just asking for a cold or something worse. Cheek kisses don't bother me. They normally only come from my close girlfriends and my brother's European boyfriend.

My hugging habits change based on where I am. If I'm at school, I only hug close friends. Family functions, I hug only a few family members that I'm closer to; that is for their comfort and my own. At my church it is just expected that you hug. When you have just met someone, you hug. I have one circle of friends outside of those circumstances that I only hug one of them.

I can deal with hugging, even if I don't want to, if I know the person's intentions are pure. I've had some guys that would thrust in their pelvis when they hugged me or would squeeze as tightly as they could. I also had a guy that would use any excuse to hug me. It might happen five times in a two hour period. I have no problem telling those guys that, I don't want to hug them.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

If it's an on the mouth kiss that you are speaking of, I would choose not to participate, and just be that weird North American. That is just asking for a cold or something worse. Cheek kisses don't bother me. They normally only come from my close girlfriends and my brother's European boyfriend.

]

No, definitely on the cheek!!!! I wouldn't bat an eye over close girlfriends, but imagine your gynocologist introducing himself with a kiss

 

[KristaTX]

I'm a non hugger, non kisser. Even with my children, spouse and parents.

 

[JessicaR]

I recently finished reading - Heres the Deal Dont Touch Me - Howie Mandel.

I thought it was terrific. Fist Bump!

 

[happygirl]

I'm not much of huger either. My kids yes hubby on good days

 

[Liberty Belle]

OP, I'm not much of a hugger, either, so I don't ever initiate hugs with friends. If they hug me, I just go with the flow. It's only uncomfortable for a few seconds and then the hug is over.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I'm not a big hugger either. Although I hug close friends or family at times, when people I barely know hug me it just plain confuses me.

The kissing just plain makes me ANGRY. IMO they have violated my space.

I also don't like the kamakaze backrubbers.

Oooh, I don't like the back rubbers at all. It seems disrespectful to me. I also don't like it when doctors put their hands on my thigh. What is up with that?!

 

[quasar4legs]

We are a big hugging, kissing family.

There 60 odd people at our family gatherings and we all hug and kiss each other hello and goodbye.
My hubby comes from a 'non-touchy' background and the first time he came to a family function I think he was

I don't hug everybody I meet........but I would like to

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

I used to not be a hugger, then I went to college and everywhere I turned “Hi! I’m so and so” hug “you must be so and so” hug “I like the letter q” hug…

Now I’ve moved back home and no one hugs around here. I met one of my neighbors and we spent several hours chatting. As I was leaving, I out of habit, sort of did a slight hug thing and she was obviously not a hugger! I felt bad because I thought I had offended her. But no, we both got over it and are now friends.

Huggers and non-huggers can be friends!

 

[portocall]

I wasn't a hugger until I moved near my husbands family. There is no choice in whether you get a hug and a kiss on the cheek. I noticed that a lot of people here tend to be huggers and I don't mind, but I usually don't start the hug unless it is someone I know is a hugger. I don't like making people uncomfortable.

 

[disykat]

I'm sure Pakey is a very loving person and her family is lucky to have her. There is no reason to be sad for them.

As a non-hugger, I guess I'm kind of offended by your response!

 

[JodiR]

I'm a non hugger, non kisser. Even with my children, spouse and parents. It bothers me enough that I have to say something to prevent anyone stepping in for the contact.

Same here! I hug and kiss no one. I just don't know why. My entire family knows that is the way I am. My parents will hug my siblings but they know not to hug me. Maybe I just don't like to show affection.

 

[alexandria674]

In my culture, it is usual to kiss on the cheek but I don't know...it is a problem for me because I just never felt comfortable with that. At church, the women shake hands and kiss each other on the cheek but, it is very bothersome to me, maybe I am just weird.

 

[HOGFAN]

Watch out!!! I am a hugger and a kisser. I have some close friends and relatives that we kiss on the lips. Some we hug, depends on the person. My very closest friend and her DH are not touchy-feely(not even to each other) but their families kiss and hug on me all the time. I am a generally upbeat person and find it hard to not 'share the love' but I realize that not everyone feels the same way.