The HUGGER games

So hugging. What’s all the fuss about ey?

Ever had one of those cringing hugs where you just want to run away or laugh? Or what about you go in for the hug and get a hi five instead or even better the side swoop? Hmm ever been crushed to the core by a full hug and had to 'blessing pat' your way out? Or what about just a good old natural hug with two friends that just makes you feel happy, welcomed.

I knew I had to blog about this some time or another. It seems HUGS never fail to be a hot topic for conversation between friends and family. Haha after retelling some epic stories of ultimate awkward hugs and doing the re-enactment of them. I finally found the inspiration to do a little research and splash the scoop ;)

Take it or leave it this is what the experts say…

So they say the most important thing to remember is that you always have to remember the context of the hug, “who are you hugging”

Um there a few categories it seems, but I guess I’m not going into such fine detail and just gonna keep it at the old ‘hug between friends’.

“Most of us have found comfort in the hugs of good friends or family members in times of stress or trouble. Athletes celebrate victories by hugging their teammates. We use hugs to wish someone good luck; show support; or say hello, goodbye and goodnight. Sometimes we hug each other for no reason at all”

Dr. Jennifer Schlegel, assistant professor of anthropology at Kutztown University says:

"Hugs are affirming," "The tension goes down, and people are just happier."

“The connection that people feel after sharing a hug goes back to the fact that hugs reinforce our social relationships.”
"Hugging is a joint experience, a joint accomplishment, "It's not something that you can do by yourself."

Scenario, you at a braai or a dinner or coffee sesh at a mates house. Room full of people. BOOM, game on for the hugs… lest see what type of hugs everyone gives.

They say you can tell a lot about people from the way the hug as well as you can tell a lot about the type of friendship you have with the person. The two most common hug types is

1.      The full frontal

What the experts have to say:

·         A full hug is what you see goods friends or people who are in a relationship give

·        When a person hugs another person and wraps their arms around the other person fully it takes plenty of trust on the part of the person who is getting the hug.

·        People who receive full hugs are not strangers and this hug is not an accident or casual it is intentional.

·          It's considered a heart-to-heart hug.

·         Hugs are used as a form of communication and they generally occur among people of equal status.

·       You're communicating that your relationship with that person is solid.
"It's like saying, 'We're good,'

2.      The A frame side hug

What the experts say:

·         Reading this body language would give you the idea that the person is an acquaintance or a relatively new friend

·         The half hug may be used in a social situation where there are many people to meet and greet with.

·         From a distance it looks like the two people are making an A

·         may turn into a bro hug where one arm is used to wrap around the other person or it could even be a full hug where both parties wrap their arms around each other

·         This encounter may seem unusual because the body language shows a lack of comfort.

·         The whole aura may even make bystanders who are reading the body language subconsciously uncomfortable.

So what type of hugger are you?

Crazy random facts: DID YOU KNOW?

WHAT? “Some people take hugging to a new level with free hugs events. These events, some of which can be seen on a video sharing website such as YouTube, portray people in various cities who head to the streets, carrying signs that say free hugs”

WHY? “Generally, a hugger waits for someone to approach, and then provides a hug. The duration and intensity of hugs vary, you sense that the overall mood of people on the street improves.”

So at the end of the day the bottom line is this…

“A hug can mean something or a hug can mean nothing, it depends upon the situation and the context of where the people are.”

A hug is a two way thing and wow do we get our fair share of awkward huggers. I guess the truth behind an awkward hug is the fact that the other person involved send off a certain vibe, may it be negative and uncomfortable or on the other hand it can be warm and welcoming.

My own truth to the tale:

Personally I don’t think all that much into the hug before I hug someone. Hug me, I’Il hug you back.

I have come to the conclusion that if someone doesn’t like hugging that’s chilled, your own prerogative but if your friends generally hug, just build a bridge and get over it .I think people reciprocate the other persons ‘vibe’ when put into a situation. I’ve found that I love hugs with people who love hugs too, honestly its natural and good sign of strong friendship. And then of course we have those that are awkward, mmm to go inside the head of those people? I would love to know ;) I guess you could say it has to do with their personal boundaries.

Well you gotta love em all anyway ey, huggers, non huggers, side huggers.

Happy hugger games to you all :)

Peace out xxx