# If I don't want to hug, I'm not going to hug. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 26, 2002, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-dont-want-to-hug-im-not-going-to-hug/116128 "2002-06-26T23:41:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Truth\_Seeker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5fc32e/32.png) [@Truth\_Seeker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truth_Seeker)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-dont-want-to-hug-im-not-going-to-hug/116128/21 "2002-06-27T19:58:47Z")
**TV** Since your thread has gotten a bit hijacked, I wanted to commend you on your last paragraph. It’s powerful stuff, a sort of curmudgeon’s creed. I think it articulates what a lot of feel. I’m going to pass it on. On the other hand, maybe hugging _doesn’t_ seem all that unreasonable after you’ve been reciting poetry and dancing barefoot in a circle. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![QueenAl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/d26b3c/32.png) [@QueenAl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QueenAl)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-dont-want-to-hug-im-not-going-to-hug/116128/22 "2002-06-28T20:17:05Z")
I hug my daughter all the time, and if I’m dating someone I’ll hug them a lot too. If a friend is going through a traumatic time, then I will hug them, or if they’re someone I very rarely see. For me, hugs are for special occasions and special people. Hugging too often devalues the contact. **TV** , that class sounds like New Age Hell. Some ‘new age’ theories/practices have value - aromatherapy has a basis in science, and is just plain pleasant, reflexology is the same, acupuncture seems to work - though I don’t know how. But ‘Feng Shui for the face’? That’s just money-grubbing, and makes everyone else look bad. But I am very curious as to what the course entails! ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-dont-want-to-hug-im-not-going-to-hug/116128/23 "2002-06-28T22:10:30Z")
I so much fucking hate people who want to hug all the time. No, I DON’T want to hug a total stranger. Hell, I don’t even want to hug long-time friends. I’ll hug my SO, and occasionally my parents, and my brothers on rare occasions. Other than that, no hugs. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-dont-want-to-hug-im-not-going-to-hug/116128/24 "2002-06-28T22:31:33Z")
Oh, I support your “no-hug” policy. I fucking hate it when people try to hug me. I HATE IT! There is _one_ ( **1** ) person on this planet who can hug me—my husband. I like hugging him. He gives great hugs. I do not like hugging my parents, I do not like hugging my siblings, or any other family members. I do not like hugging in-laws (My FIL insists on hugging and even kissing my cheek every time he sees me. It’s all I can do to keep from shuddering in disgust.) I do not hug friends. I don’t like it! LEAVE ME ALONE! There, I feel better. ---
**Author:** ![seawitch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@seawitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seawitch)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-dont-want-to-hug-im-not-going-to-hug/116128/25 "2002-06-28T22:33:37Z")
**TV** , I’m sorry to have started a hijack. I abase myself before your superior crankiness. Friends? How about a hug? 😃 ::seawitch runs away very very fast:: ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-dont-want-to-hug-im-not-going-to-hug/116128/26 "2002-06-28T23:27:55Z")
The character played by Ed Asner was LOU Grant, not Lew. And you work for a newspaper? You sicken me, get out of my sight. I’m sorry, I just need a hug. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-dont-want-to-hug-im-not-going-to-hug/116128.md?page=1)