Huggers

[marieantoinehairnet]

Back in the office...

There are a few huggers in the place.

We all have to wear masks in office which suits me fine.

How, without being rude do you tell a hugger to go away and stop trying to get too close?!

Hands up, and say no thanks. It should not even be a Covid thing to say no anyway.

‘I’m not a hugger’

My friend said it to me (and I love hugs) and I wasn’t remotely offended and knew for future reference

I'm a hugger, but if anyone stepped back from me, before I even got within hug territory, I wouldn't be offended if they wanted space. Not that I go around hugging anyone beyond my family and close friendship group. If someone steps towards you, step away. If they take offence, that's their problem.

I could never stand the fake pleasantries before covid, air kissers and huns all over the place, but now I'm really not into it.

I kind of thought people would have a bit of common sense and not put people in the awkward position of saying no thanks

Just say no thanks, I'd rather not!!

I'm not really a hugger.
I met friends on Saturday who insisted on hugging. I said "are you sure? Covid etc" they laughed at me and my caution.

I went on to develop Covid a few days later, caught off my son. I felt terrible telling them.

Telling someone not to hug or touch you is not rude.

I'm a hugger. I see it as my responsibility to work out of the other person wants a hug or not, it's not okay for me to go steaming in, physically touching someone, first. I usually do this by asking straight up, especially those friends who've generally hugged in the past "Are we hugging today?!" Big smile, open tone, but arms down and not stepping forward so as to give space. Once had answers varying from "Of course!" to "Not quite yet" to "Absolutely not". Not once was I offended or upset. If someone has a problem with you saying "I'd rather not just now, thanks" that's absolutely their problem not yours.

Even before Covid people have said "I'm not a hugger" and that's fine. No harm done, just tell people what's right for you!

People at work try to hug you?! 😳 I can't imagine that happening where I work! I'm good friends with many of my colleagues and have known some of them 10+ years, but hugging is not done unless drunk. Urrrgh.

I'd just step back and say 'I'd rather not be hugged' - at my work if they said/did anything they'd be in the shit as we have about a plethora of anti harassment policies!

Quite a lot of hugging goes on where I work too, but fortunately management have decided that we can't do that and I'm thrilled.

I am not a huggy person, and I don't see the need.

@ColettesEarrings - oh my goodness, you have slightly restored my faith in the belief that some common sense must still be out there!!

@Sparklingbrook

Quite a lot of hugging goes on where I work too, but fortunately management have decided that we can't do that and I'm thrilled.

I am not a huggy person, and I don't see the need.

It's the same here, but you get those overpowering types who come at you m, then the burden on a on you to back off.

It's odd as as a workplace I've known people get reprimanded for overstepping the mark with air kisses in the past, now all of a sudden there's people launching at you and it's ok as they're wearing a mask!

Never hugged in the workplace - occasionally have at a work social but very selectively (typically ex colleagues).

For me (and lots of my friends), that physical contact has been really absent from our lives and we genuinely like each other and want to hug but it’s not mandatory just tell them you don’t want to. No ones going to be offended.

I am on board with hugging family and close friends but just don’t feel the need to in the workplace. Or with random strangers.

Oh dear air kisses and hugs sounds like actual hell! Just say DONT TOUCH ME im not a hugger.

I like hugs from friends and family but seems weird to have a lot of hugging in the office!

Covid is the perfect excuse for no physical contact with random acquaintances IMO. I hug people I love and care about, but I never could stand hugging and kissing people I've only just met - ugh! Get away from me!

I'm not even particularly bothered about Covid, but avoiding all this unnecessary physical contact with randoms is one major plus for this sodding pandemic

I ask people if they want to shake hands or not at the moment.

I can't imagine hugging in a workplace

I find coughing a bit and saying 'I'd not get too close if I were you' to a potential hugger usually does the trick :)