I like mine with a hug.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles /news/news.html?in_article_id=491445&in_page_i d=1770

Does anyone really believe that modern life is killing off the hug?

I believe that we tend to hug each other much more these days than in the past.

Years ago we were much more reserved than we are today. I can never remember seeing two males hug each other, a shaking hands as a form of greeting was much more usual.

Even when greeting a female unless she was a family member, hugging was taboo. Yet today we put our arms round each other and give a hug, to most we know well enough.

[China Doll]

I'm not sure AOG, I don't come from a particulary tactile family yet I'm quite huggy with some of my very close friends.

I do hug by way of greeting friends when I see them if I haven't seen them for a while but a lot of the friends I have here who I see on a daily basis are male and I think if I was as tactile as I am with people I'm parcularly close to I'd probaby get a bad reputation.

[naomi24]

I think we're far huggier(?) than we used to be. Even those of little acquaintance often hug each other now.

[ruby27]

AOG

I dislike the give a hug, but to be honest it is not as bad as kissing even if it is an air job. Please no touching unless there is a verbal agreement that it is permissible, in which case I will invariably decline to do so. Shaking hands, how can I be sure that they have washed theirs recently, especially the men.

You know prior to Victoria, we apparently were viewed by our European cousins as being a bit too tactile.

[flipnflap]

Arsene Wenger gave Gallas a wonderful hug today after Gallas had scored an extra-time equaliser.

[China Doll]

There's different kinds of hugs too... and some question as to where your arms should be when you're hugging someone.

[Kromovaracun]

I like hugs (and I've been told I'm good at them). I'm hugged exceedingly rarely, however, so I do tend to appreciate it slightly more when I am.

When people say there may have been a decline in hugging, though, perhaps they mean in comparison with about 10/15 years ago rather than further back than that. I do agree with you, though, AOG, it does seem a tad odd to claim that the hug is dying out.

[China Doll]

Perhaps we should have an 'I need/want a hug' section. I love hugs too. Big bear cuddles are my favourite.

[topogigo]

I am extremely glad that people, espesh the youngsters, are hugging more. I have always been tactile when appropriate and i love to see folks hugging when they meet.
When i left my wife and lived with my teenage sons, they brought round their friends who seemed to start hugging more than ever. If a handshake is a statement of being unarmed and thereby a friend then a hug is a far more commited version of the same.

[Kromovaracun]

I prefer tight hugs. They have an extra zeal to them.

[China Doll]

Bear hugs are tight hugs aren't they?

[Kromovaracun]

Perhaps, now I come to think of it. I always saw bear hugs as the rather softer but more warm kind that cover more space (as it were). You're probably right though. Stupid me.

[China Doll]

I will ponder the tight hug v the bear hug this evening and let you know what I come up with.

Dot Cotton and David Jason.

[Kromovaracun]

Shut up.

[China Doll]

Charming! Well if you're still talking to me...

I've considered it and a tight hug is probably more comfy than a bear hug which can not be sustained for a long period of time (constricting airways can be problematic). So a bear hug is good for a quick pick me up but a tight hug can be maintained for longer.

[Kromovaracun]

That does make sense. Do you think if a hug involves the huggee being lifted off the ground it's then definitely a bearhug (though that's not a necessary requirement) then?

[China Doll]

Oh definitely, lifted off the ground is absolutely classed as bear hug although not mandatory.

[weeal]

just the opposite, people are more huggy now than ever I think
the younger generation more so, they seem to hug everyone lol

[China Doll]

Yes but they never get the bear hugs right. That takes practice and experience.