To be gutted hugs are back!

[Zerowillpower]

Just a quick one (light hearted). I’m not gonna lie, I’m not a fan of physical contact, I’m a bit of a germ freak (pre covid) and also have loved the fact my newborn baby hasn’t had to be passed round all and sundry like my first baby!! Obv hate covid! But for me the great thing about it is people washing their hands more, no one using my bathroom and not having to physically touch anyone!! I’m also someone who doesn’t like to offend so not a lot of people know about the fact that I’d rather not touch them or be touched. Just heard we can hug again from 17th May- arghhhh!!! Anyone with me or am I a freak on my own?!?!

I don’t mind hugs too much. It’s the kidding on the cheeks I can’t stand!

*kissing

I'm happy for the huggers too. I'm not normally a touchy feel person and like my personal space uninvaded, but by gawd, I'm severely touchstarved now after all this time and will happily get hugged for at least a week when its allowed again! After that, I'll go back to my normal reserved self

Sorry pp's but I am big on hugging, and get very sad when people don't want to hug back. Like, why don't you want to hug me? Do I smell .

Being half Italian, I am also very relaxed with many kisses, from all and sundry, including people you just met, and also the concept of complete stangers pinching, squeezing, touching and kissing your children.

How do the non-huggers cope in Southern Europe?

Ha ha!

I found the headline “English told they can hug again” very funny. Since when did the English hug? (And the headline was English not British due to different rules etc)

I’m not mad on hugging either. Unless I’m drunk!

But I don’t think keeping it banned is the answer. We all have to get better at saying “no”

@BigWoollyJumpers

Sorry pp's but I am big on hugging, and get very sad when people don't want to hug back. Like, why don't you want to hug me? Do I smell .

Being half Italian, I am also very relaxed with many kisses, from all and sundry, including people you just met, and also the concept of complete stangers pinching, squeezing, touching and kissing your children.

How do the non-huggers cope in Southern Europe?

Nothing to do with you smelling and all to do with the uncomfortable feeling I’m left with after being hugged when I don’t want to be.

I've just been saying exactly this to DH. I'm glad the the grandparents can hug the dcs but that's about it.
I'm not a hugger and I hate the awkwardness of people saying hi with a hug. I do an awkward wave .
Or I end up going for a hug when maybe they weren't going to because they did last time...oh god, and when your faces almost touch because one of you went the wrong way I have really enjoyed no hugging!

YANBU, apart from kids and partner I loathe hugs! End up standing awkwardly with my arms by my sides if someone manages to get one in before I can stop them. 😂

I hate hugs. Not because of germs, just because I don't like being that intimate with people I'm not related to (ishoos from terrible boarding school experience).

I might try an awkward half-wave if anyone attempts one. Will start practicing.

yes!! 100% - i never used to hug people then, around 10 years or so ago it became a thing and now everyone wants a hug when you see them and another when you leave!! why??! i don't even like half the people i am having to hug but you just have to go along with it otherwise you look like you are being standoffish and the only one in the room who won't give a hug!!! the worst is when some overzealous person accompanies the hug with a big kiss on the cheek and you left with a big lipstick mark too. Even the French who seemingly like hugging more than us Brit's only go in for an air kiss!!!!

I love a hug with those I want to hug but I’ve enjoyed not being allowed people in my house. I really don’t like having visitors. I’ve also enjoyed not being able see certain people. Part of me is sad lockdown is over.

I'm not bothered about germs at all, but I am not a hugger at all. none of my family are either, but we are all a happy and normal loving family.

HATE hugs so loved the fact I didnt have to face this, its so awkward

I will gladly join you in a non-hug

This is EXACTLY how I feel. I'm looking forward to hugging my dad when I finally get to see him at the end of June. But everyone else can do one.

Yanbu, I hate hugs too. Back off, huggers!

I’m not a hugger either, but that’s my decision, not the government’s. People need to take ownership of their own preferences and stop demanding that every possible scenario is covered by legislation, it’s ridiculous.

When someone wants to hug me, my instinct is to say "Fuck off!", and in the moment it's hard to express that politely.

I can't bear social hugging and kissing - one friend always goes in for a kiss on the lips too. It's one of the positives of Covid that all that nonsense has stopped!

I hate hugging. Not sure why anyone thinks squeezing and touching someone else's body is nice

I didn't really get any hugs as a kid, so I love hugging my friends now and I'm really chuffed it'll be allowed again!

I have to admit I went cold at the idea of hugs again.
I've got used to socialising (ie chat on a driveway) at a distance. We are quite a tactile extended family, but contact after so long will feel odd.
I don't want to hug clients again for a while, but because of what I do (bereavement) I can't really refuse.

I’m not a hugger, except for some very close family/friends. I hate how in recent years it became acceptable and even expected to ‘socially’ hug even casual acquaintances. I find it intrusive and uncomfortable.

I agree fully with the previous poster who said:
I agree the removal of hugs, fake kissing, and even the ridiculous air kiss has been one of the plus points of the last year

@WhoWants2Know
When someone wants to hug me, my instinct is to say "Fuck off!", and in the moment it's hard to express that politely. my teen daughter is like this. We told her she has permission to tell people to F off if they ever force a hug 🤗

OP you need to channel your inner Oprah:

I'm not a hugger and use the tactic with my FIL who is and a bit creepy