Hugs are fine. A good portion of my guy friends are huggers. Also, it’s not quite usual around my American friends, but occasionally from more European friends (depending on where they’re from) a kiss on the cheek may occasionally happen, but that’s usually more from within family than friends.
What is this “brief hug when in despair” stuff? That’s utterly bizarre to me. Despair warrants a prolonged, protracted hug. The “hi, whassup?” hug is a brief, one second kind of thing.
This thread is genuinely puzzling to me.* I’m not interested in touching your dick or ass and I’m not putting my mouth on anything; I’m assuming you feel the same way*. Then we’re good Bro!
Is that so complicated?
Here’s my data point for you. I’m 41-year-old kinda metro guy with lots of gay friends, and I hang out with a New Agey crowd in Indianapolis. Everyone, gay or straight, hugs everyone without fear. Even when I was younger, I would hug my gay friends and even kiss them on the cheek. Honey badger don’t give a shit. Of course, if I am not friends with someone, a handshake will often be the limit. But I will often hug someone I have just met at the end of the night, etc.
Hand shake or a slap on the back for most people.
Hugs for close friends or family members.
This thread is over a year an half old.
Now a days for me a handshake is pushing it and I’m gay.
Handshake or one armed hug with our without an air kiss on the cheek is ample for a friend, whether male or female.
My impression is that straight man’s unwillingness to hug man is more an American thing than European. True?
Straight guys are so funny. And sad.