How to avoid an ex hugging you

[Iloverockntroll]

At an event with family and friends where I’ll be hugging loads of people I haven’t seen in years, without coming across as being awkward in front of others.

This man makes my skin crawl. I won’t be able to completely avoid him, I’ll say hello but don’t want him touching me. We haven’t seen each other in over a decade but he will definitely try to swoop in for a hug or give me a peck.

Knee him in the balls if he comes near you?

Give him a handshake first?
Start coughing?

I think I'd just go for a limp half hearted hug and move on.

Put your elbow up in front of your body and say "no, thank you".

Start coughing

I did that the last time to stop him from hugging me 😂Said I had a cold

Just say no hugs thank you. It's that simple 🤷🏻‍♀️

This was what I was intending on doing or what @sprigatito suggested but didn’t want to appear awkward in front of family. This is my problem, thinking of family feelings first and mine second.

Yep will keep it simple!

Push him away - hand on chest - and step back

Do your family expect you to hug him? Do they know he's an ex?
Tell him to not even dare try to hug you.

This was what I was intending on doing or what @sprigatito suggested but didn’t want to appear awkward in front of family. This is my problem, thinking of family feelings first and mine second.

Yep will keep it simple!

Sod them. Start putting yourself first. Start with something simple like this.

Give him a fist bump instead, see how he reacts! 🤣

Duck and serve, whilst loudly proclaiming “No thank you”.

(I’m not a hugger)

They know and no they won’t expect me to hug him but him trying to do it and me stepping back, saying no etc will cause a mini scene. He will say something about me being petty or childish. It’s happened before.

Why will he be there? Can you just avoid him altogether?

I'm not either and I use the joke to not offend, "I've used up my hugs for the day". Because there are about three people outside family I will hug, and exes are not on that list.

And if he calls you childish or petty, "of course". Agreeing is fine, it's doesn't matter.

Small town where everyone knows each other. The event is my future SIL’s party, he is distantly related to SIL and has offered the party venue for free!

I’ve moved halfway across the world and had this trip to my hometown planned ages ago. It’s now coincided with the party which was organised months after I booked my trip.

And if he calls you childish or petty, "of course". Agreeing is fine, it's doesn't matter.
Will do this as well!

Ugh, I had an ex like this. I ended up back at the organisation where we first met years before and he went straight in for the hug, whispering "let's not make it awkward for everyone else". No mate, you made it awkward by being a ginormous bellend towards me.

Why does he get to call the shots? Who cares if he thinks you're petty or childish? Why should your feelings mean less than his?

Put your hand out to shake his while leaning slightly back. Make sure you keep your arm stiff and it's a winner. If he wants to make something out of this (weirdness) he can be the one to pipe up.

Just back away as he approaches. Don't even shake a hand or anything that would allow 'traction' to try and pull you in. If he tries to make a scene, remind him that you said no the last time and shouldn't need to repeat yourself.

I had someone do this to me once, I put my hand out for a handshake and got yanked in for a hug. As others have said back away, fold your arms, say no. You don’t want him to touch, don’t even offer a finger.

You've got to 'do a Trudeau'. Video to follow...

Grab the shoulder so you can't be pulled in. Trudeau does yoga and stuff so you may need to train

@Iloverockntroll how did it go?