Quote from: cynthialee on June 01, 2010, 07:23:40 AM
As a former member in good standing in the man comunity I think I may know a thing or two in this area...

Accurate, this post.  We touch more when we know a person very well.

- N

I'm not comfortable with hugs, period, from anyone.  I'm not even too keen on handshakes but I can get through that without feeling too uncomfortable.

I don't like hugs either! I feel panicked when someone swoops in to hug me. I always freeze up. It sucks because I don't want to make people feel bad, like I'm rejecting their nice hugs, but I can't handle it. It's related to abuse and totally not personal, it's an instant reaction I can't stop.   I'm hoping that I will get a lot less awkward hugs once people see me as a guy.

Handshake, pull together, back pat twice with the other hand and step away.

I'm hugging you, but I'm also hitting you

I'm a fan of the friendly punch on the arm.

Quote from: Teknoir on June 01, 2010, 10:34:40 PM
Handshake, pull together, back pat twice with the other hand and step away.

I'm hugging you, but I'm also hitting you

This made me laugh out loud. 

Just shake hands to start. If the other person wants to bro-hug let them initiate it. You'll get the hang of it after a while

'Man hug'. I've had this same situation happen with guys who get weird 'because you're one of them' about getting too 'squishy' during a hug. If it's a guy who's sweet on me I'll make full body contact and squish him like a school kid, but if it's like a 'bro hug' from a friend/acquaintance... Get close, put an arm around them and give them a quick squeeze with a couple hearty pats on the back as you let go. 'Pat' isn't quit the right word... More like thumps on the back almost, like you do to a big dog.