Anyone else not thrilled at the prospect of the return of a hugging free for all?

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I'm not a hugger.

I play a sport where people hug at the end of a competition. Horrible soggy, sweaty hugs.

I work in an environment where, "thank you", "well done", "bad luck", all come with a hug. The women hugging each other, the men have more sense, but no one else seems to think it's odd.

I haven't missed it and I'm not sure I want it back.

I don't want it back. The increase in sickness bugs, colds etc being spread... no thank you.

Simply say no hugs for me - that should do the trick!

Me. I feel anxious at the mere thought of social hugging, not because of Covid risk, but because I hate being touched.

I'm not a hugger outside my family, but it's not a problem as people outside my family don't hug me very often.

I really DON'T miss the kisses on the cheek at the end of every round of golf!
I'm happy to continue tapping putters instead...

@AppleSouffle

Me. I feel anxious at the mere thought of social hugging, not because of Covid risk, but because I hate being touched.

Yes, this is what I mean. I'm past caring about the Covid risk, I'm afraid and I am generally sociable, but hugging is for people I love, as far as I'm concerned.

The trouble is huggers don't get that not everyone is like them. If you tell them you don't like it, they think you need a hug!

I’ve never really bee a hugger, outside my immediate family and in extremism ( death, divorce etc.) very close friends. Cheek kisses as a social greeting I dislike even more. I realised a few years ago ( past 40, I was late to the revelation) that I can just say no. If I say it politely, people are normally fine with this. I have a group of friends I meet with regularly who are great huggers, and they all hug around me and don’t hug me. It hasn’t affected my closeness to any of them. I don’t hug people if I don’t want to any more, and I’m clear with my kids that they and anyone they want to hug can always say no.

I don't hug anyone except my children.

It's never been an issue, I have no problem stopping anyone who comes towards me looking huggy.

I hate all the hugging/kissing of people not my own close family, I won't be going back to it

I wish more huggers would give you the option before they launch themselves at you. Asking "can I give you a hug?" and being prepared to hear the word no should be considered basic manners.

I was going to say I can't wait to hug my extended family, nieces or nephews, maybe a couple of good friends. However, this: I work in an environment where Thank you Well done and Bad luck all come with a hug

I must admit that sounds awful. Are they those sort of awkward half hugs where you're both trying to remain apart, not really embracing just stiffly patting the person's back?

Agree 36degrees, it feels like you have no option sometimes unless you're super quick. And the kissers who actually so a kiss and not a fake one - I moved to presenting an ear completely covered by my long hair to avoid these

I only accept hugs from the cat. Anyone else is glared at if they approach.

Would it work to hold your arm out forcibly to indicate you want to shake hands instead?

I can't really see why your work colleagues aren't picking up on your dislike of hugs. They must detect you feel uncomfortable? Unless you're a very good actor.

With the exception of people very, very close to me I have always found hugging exceptionally awkward. It's not necessarily that I don't like being touched but when someone goes to hug me I find it really difficult to decide on the appropriate response. My thought process is something like- are they actually trying to hug me? (should I go to hug too or will it look really odd if they were just coming to shake my hand etc), How tightly should I hug and for how long? Should I say anything when hugging? What happens post-hug? (do we move apart, do we stay close and keep talking, do we acknowledge the hug)?

I know that's quite odd. Unfortunately people I mix with for work etc seem to hug everyone and it's been quite a relief not to have to think about it