Kia Ora,

Ok I started a poll on smiling and now it's the  "Hugs"  turn... Can you see a pattern forming here ??

Well, I like to hug people [call it an obsessive compulsive disorder  of mine  ]...

However at times I've found some people feel very uncomfortable when it comes to being hugged...No doubt for some it has something to do with their past experiences ie physical contact not in a pleasant way...

So I keep a respectful distance when interacting with them, but let them know [possibly by body language] that if they feel like a hug, I'm available...

So, are you a huggy touchy kind of person -where your personal space can accommodate others comfortably ? 

Metta Zenda  

That's a wonderful poll! Hugs, Devlyn

Haha - Love the poll! 

I would like to be more of a hugger, but I am aware that I project an aura that belies this... so when I sense someone picking up on that I will not put them in an uncomfortable situation.

Little steps... 

Just not my thing I suppose.

I am guilty of not thinking of it often enough with my wife. But then, I suppose those of us that have been married longer than 25 years can relate to this when I say, after that many years, you often fall into the bad habit of just getting TOO comfortable and you forget the way you were the first year you were together when you were so lovy dovy it might have been nauseating to look at

I try to hug her at random when I can.

For others? No I reserve that for a few select very solid old buddies. Even family don't get hugs from me more than old friends.

But then I prefer that my brother and sister need no reassurances that I still love them.

Mom is the only one other than wife and son that get superior grade hugs.

I think society has gotten too damned PC to the point people are afraid to actually be too openly casual about things like hugs.

Kia Ora Sisters,Brothers, and those in between ,

Have a hug 





Metta Zenda

Not IRL, no. I'm autistic so I hate being touched by other people. But I do like a virtual Internet hug because it's an expression of friendship & affection without any uncomfortable physical touching.

Still, I love the Devlyn option in the poll. We all know how much she loves a hug, so I voted for that option. Made me smile!

Smiles, just another service I offer! Hugs, Devlyn

Well, I'm not a touchy feely type of person. No negative contact in past or anything but just like 3 ft. of personal space between me and another person. I do however make exceptions (romantic and such) but they are few. I am even a little uncomfortable waiting in line for something when someone starts getting closer than the three feet.

I am a total hugger!! I hug pretty much everyone I meet. Normally though, if they look like they might not be one, I just tell them that I am a hugger, and ask if they mind. I have yet to have someone tell me they don't want one. Most people seem to like getting hugs. Plus, it makes me and them smile, thus making me a smiler. 

I'd rather not be hugged because I just find it uncomfortable. I appreciate the good will behind it, but... no thanks. I don't have any issues with other forms of friendly contact, though.

Kia Ora,

On average, on a quiet day I end up hugging at lease one person, but Monday evening is normally when I hug and get hugged the most...There can be between 10 to 18 people at the meetings and we hug each other at the beginning and at the end, occasionally a group hug if it's warranted...

I guess I'm addicted to hugging...Both giving and receiving...It's not a bad habit to have, much better than smoking 

Metta Zenda

I'm quite feline in nature so it depends. with some people I can be quite tactile, but with others I avoid any sort of physical contact. It depends on the vibe.

I love to hug! I am getting accustomed to how much others are willing to hug. It's like once you start you end up in a hugathon.

I hug friends and family but I don't mind hugs from others. I just typically don't initiate hugs to people I don't know. Hug and kiss to cheek thing I don't like, even with family.

My answer is not really, I'm not a huggy touchy type person.  But then you would have to understand the way I was raised (same for my brother and sister) touching was not encouraged in my family.  I can only remember a few (very few) occasions where my mother hugged me growing up (or either of my siblings) and my father never did (mostly because of my mother).

What little ability I had to touch other people disappeared after I was raped (as a young teen) by a fireman who lived a couple houses down (his daughter was a school friend of mine).

Since my transition I can return a hug to another woman, but I still hesitate with a man.