Free hugs anyone?

craftsman · Dec 26, 2006, 22:38

You may have seen the "free hugs" video on Youtube about a man offering a hug to passers-by in the street. Well, some Japanese people were so impressed they decided to try something similar.

A man from Sendai was the first to create a free hug community with around 2000 Japanese huggers. He said:

No preparation or special skills are needed -- other than a placard and the courage to smile at strangers with open arms.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-b...0061226f1.html

However, on his first day on the street he got a grand total of only 4 hugs. It might just be me, but I think he's got his work cut out for him in Japan.

So I was wondering what I would do if greeted by the said huggers. Would I be No.5?

Because I've got nothing better to do, I narrowed it down to a number of key factors:

whether the person looked like a loony
how good-looking the hugger is
my mood - if it's bad, everyone gets a 'bugger off'
whether the person looked in any way like a religious nut
whether I have had my quota of cuddles for that day (unlikely me thinks)

So, maybe, just maybe, I could have been No.5. But seeing as I am in the middle of nowhere and the chances of the hug campaign coming to the southern islands, I'm off to hug a monkey.

Would you hug or not?

nice gaijin · Dec 27, 2006, 01:06

As an uptight American that likes his personal space, I'm not sure if I'd be willing to let a stranger hug me outside of special circumstances. On the other hand, I think the free hug campaign is a sweet idea, and if I were so inclined, wouldn't mind handing out the hugs. Perhaps I'm more open to the idea of hugging a stranger if I'm the one initiating it?

taehyun · Dec 27, 2006, 10:38

I'm like a cat- I love hugs and being cuddled...But only if the person smells well ( perfume or at least soap!!!)
Prrrrr....

Yo_Yo · Dec 29, 2006, 04:33

More like a street performer solicitating free hugs.

Dec 26, 2006, 22:38	#1
craftsman ************ Join Date: Sep 24, 2006 Location: Yaku island, East China Sea Posts: 262	Free hugs anyone? You may have seen the "free hugs" video on Youtube about a man offering a hug to passers-by in the street. Well, some Japanese people were so impressed they decided to try something similar. A man from Sendai was the first to create a free hug community with around 2000 Japanese huggers. He said: No preparation or special skills are needed -- other than a placard and the courage to smile at strangers with open arms. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-b...0061226f1.html However, on his first day on the street he got a grand total of only 4 hugs. It might just be me, but I think he's got his work cut out for him in Japan. So I was wondering what I would do if greeted by the said huggers. Would I be No.5? Because I've got nothing better to do, I narrowed it down to a number of key factors: whether the person looked like a loony how good-looking the hugger is my mood - if it's bad, everyone gets a 'bugger off' whether the person looked in any way like a religious nut whether I have had my quota of cuddles for that day (unlikely me thinks) So, maybe, just maybe, I could have been No.5. But seeing as I am in the middle of nowhere and the chances of the hug campaign coming to the southern islands, I'm off to hug a monkey. Would you hug or not?

Dec 27, 2006, 10:38	#3
taehyun Regular Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2006 Posts: 171	I'm like a cat- I love hugs and being cuddled...But only if the person smells well ( perfume or at least soap!!!) Prrrrr.... __________________ Wanna walk like a normal human being again

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Dec 27, 2006, 01:06	#2
nice gaijin Resident Realist Join Date: Aug 8, 2005 Posts: 3,688	As an uptight American that likes his personal space, I'm not sure if I'd be willing to let a stranger hug me outside of special circumstances. On the other hand, I think the free hug campaign is a sweet idea, and if I were so inclined, wouldn't mind handing out the hugs. Perhaps I'm more open to the idea of hugging a stranger if I'm the one initiating it?

Dec 29, 2006, 04:33	#4
Yo_Yo Banned Join Date: Dec 14, 2006 Age: 19 Posts: 9	More like a street performer solicitating free hugs.