Hugging

[Isrhisavalidusername]

Just saw a friend who was visibly upset and hugged her. It was a totally natural reaction then afterwards I was like shit sorry I shouldn't have hugged you.

[Isrhisavalidusername]

Pressed send before I'd finished! Now I'm slightly freaked out by what I've done.

[PurpleDaisies]

The chances are it will be fine. Just forget about it unless either of you gets symptoms.

[Hugglespuffed]

I wouldn't be annoyed with you. It was a natural reaction to make your friend feel better. You didn't do it on purpose and the chances are you'll both be fine.

[Isrhisavalidusername]

Thankyou. I hugged them and then had a little freak out. It was totally a natural instinct to seeing someone upset.

[maleficent53]

It is fine community transmission is low and peoples mental health more important. You have done a good thing

[secretllama]

I met my sister in the garden today. She told me she was pregnant and I immediately hugged her without thinking. I'm not worried though, but it was the most natural reaction!

[Isrhisavalidusername]

Thankyou everyone you've made me feel better.

[Bol87]

These things happen. It’s hard to abandon natural responses. A lady dropped some of her shopping in Sainsburys the other day & I absent mindedly stepped very close & picked it up for her! Then realised what I’d done! I started to apologise and thankfully, she was totally fine & we had a distanced chat about how weird it all is!

[Passthebubbly]

My my is in hospital I was allowed to see her just before surgery and the nurse quietly said in my ear before I was taken in, “she wants to see you, when the door closes take off that mask and let her see you and give her a hug” I did just that and don’t feel guilty

[Redolent]

Keep checking AIBU to see if she creates a thread there.

[nutellafortea]

You did the right thing. I live in Spain and other day my neighbour came to visit me, as I opened the door this lovely woman gave me the usual air kisses. I was delighted and even thanked her for it. She said we are both healthy, no need to worry, let's get back to normal... in her words "it is important to show some affection". All my other Spanish friends are keeping their distances. So happy to have an affectionate neighbour who is not paranoid. And if I get covid because of her so be it, I'm tired of this already and happy to take my chances out there.

[Isrhisavalidusername]

@Redolent if I create a thread there??

[CestTout]

Don’t worry- as others have said it’s a completely natural reaction and the mental health implications of the last three months are just massive :-(

[PinkBuffalo]

Try not to worry op If you are both well I think it will be ok.
I hugged my colleague/friend when she came into the office first time since March (everyone apart from me wfh) and put my arm around her because her mum had died during lockdown And she had not been able to speak to anyone face to face about it other than her family she lives with. Neither of us have been poorly or have got poorly as a result. I do not regret it one bit