Are you a hugger or a handshaker?

"That's beautiful man!"

I wish I had been as confident at 16 as your son. He's a great example. He'll be a true leader someday!

Look for a "Free Hugs" Campaign video on You Tube- it's amazing how much positive energy a simple hug can put out, especially to those people who don't get touched in their daily lives. It can lift people!

Germany, huh? hugs are starting to work their way around there, too.

But seriously. 3 second limits? None at all? I swear, I wouldn't, no COULDN'T go a full 24 hours without hugging at least somebody. Hugs are what give us some fun at our school. The funnest thing to do though, is having someone hug you, and when your not suspecting it, they pick you up and swing you around. Extremely fun, even with a guyfriend. Hugs are a way of life. Not something sexual, or anything proosing it. It's just as meaningful as a handshake, a high five, or even a kiss. Nothing's wrong with it.

Kami -- how nice. What a great kid.

That's awesome! You're obviously doing a great job at raising your son and preparing him for the rest of his life. He's confident, caring and outgoing. Three big traits that he'll need in college and the adult world. Way to go! I love hugs!

Rock on, friend!

"Hugs are better than drugs!" you should submit that to above the influence! campaign.

Raspberries. You are only a decade or so older than me, and it was your generation that showed us all how to group hug! There are a few pockets on the east coast and down south east where hugging (and any other show of affection) are not easily welcomed. A hug can be as simple as squeezing an arm with one hand while shaking the other, a pat on the back with a quick squeeze, a lean in for a euro or air kiss with both hands and forearms on the other person's arms, or a full embrace between friends. And groups of friends. It is the single most simple healthy thing a person can do, for oneself and for others.

wolfdoc: I completely understand. I'm not from a family of big huggers, and it makes me a little uncomfortable to hug, or be hugged by, another guy (and I have a ways to go before I'm "over 50." But I, like you seem to, acknowledge that that is just my own personal hangup, which I'd be better off without, and I think if kids want to hug, let 'em hug! I see only good coming from the "close, personal contact" that school administrators seem so threatened by. Closeness is good. There should be more of it. I'm encouraged that kids want contact with one another. Outside my immediate family, hugs will probably always throw me off a bit, but that's not a good thing, and I like to think my kids will grow up more at ease with physical contact.

I don't like people getting into my personal space...............I hug family members only.  And for those of you who would say I am somehow a sour person because of this then you have never had someone invade your space and try to force themselves on you.....and by force I mean FORCE.  My space is mine, it is not public domaine.  Letting your children believe that hugging anyone and letting anyone hug them could be dangerous is an important self preservation tactic..........right up there with don't talk to strangers and don't let them touch you. 

I don't think it is rude to deny someone (anyone--at my descretion) access to my space....just because the person intending to hug me may have innocent and good intentions does not mean that I must grant them anything. 

Choosing not to be a squeezy teddy bear does not make me a bad person..........in fact when I greet people with a courteous nod or hand shake (even this bothers me) or a pleasant verble greeting why is that not enough?  Why do so many people feel that a more intimate body hugging squeeze where you can smell the other persons perfume, hair spray, shampoo and conditioner and or cigarette odor, gum breath or other bodily odors wafing off of the other person is more acceptable than just a pleasant verble greet? 

For me, this need to hug makes me wonder how desparately people seem to NEED the contact.............perhaps I am more independent than is acceptable in todays society where groups of friends seem to even have dominion over the kids actual family.  I raised my children to know that family is everything and though it is good to have friends they could never compare to family.....my children are highly indenpendent, well educated, friendly people with their own families and friends and they hug who they want and don't feel bad because they do not participate in this 'ritual' with everyone. 

Some of my children have friends who like to run up and hug me.....I always seem to have a sneezing fit at that exact time..because people who hug do not like to be denied.  I say "tough"...this is my call not yours and I don't need the hug.....not because I am sour on people but because I just don't need it.................likewise, I do not force people to allow me access to their wallets for money as this would be the greet that might actually interest me---I mean how intimate is it to let someone rifle through your wallet and take you money?....pretty intimate, but not yet socially acceptable.

Mother nature gave us a certain set of survival skills........one is to be wary.  I am wary of anyone who seems to need to touch me where clearly touching is not required.  Vulnerability and submission should not be a requirement for friendship or being accepted in society.

I don't like people getting into my personal space...............I hug family members only.  And for those of you who would say I am somehow a sour person because of this then you have never had someone invade your space and try to force themselves on you.....and by force I mean FORCE.  My space is mine, it is not public domaine.  Letting your children believe that hugging anyone and letting anyone hug them could be dangerous is an important self preservation tactic..........right up there with don't talk to strangers and don't let them touch you. 

I don't think it is rude to deny someone (anyone--at my descretion) access to my space....just because the person intending to hug me may have innocent and good intentions does not mean that I must grant them anything. 

Choosing not to be a squeezy teddy bear does not make me a bad person..........in fact when I greet people with a courteous nod or hand shake (even this bothers me) or a pleasant verble greeting why is that not enough?  Why do so many people feel that a more intimate body hugging squeeze where you can smell the other persons perfume, hair spray, shampoo and conditioner and or cigarette odor, gum breath or other bodily odors wafing off of the other person is more acceptable than just a pleasant verble greet? 

For me, this need to hug makes me wonder how desparately people seem to NEED the contact.............perhaps I am more independent than is acceptable in todays society where groups of friends seem to even have dominion over the kids actual family.  I raised my children to know that family is everything and though it is good to have friends they could never compare to family.....my children are highly indenpendent, well educated, friendly people with their own families and friends and they hug who they want and don't feel bad because they do not participate in this 'ritual' with everyone. 

Some of my children have friends who like to run up and hug me.....I always seem to have a sneezing fit at that exact time..because people who hug do not like to be denied.  I say "tough"...this is my call not yours and I don't need the hug.....not because I am sour on people but because I just don't need it.................likewise, I do not force people to allow me access to their wallets for money as this would be the greet that might actually interest me---I mean how intimate is it to let someone rifle through your wallet and take you money?....pretty intimate, but not yet socially acceptable.

Mother nature gave us a certain set of survival skills........one is to be wary.  I am wary of anyone who seems to need to touch me where clearly touching is not required.  Vulnerability and submission should not be a requirement for friendship or being accepted in society.

Debbie McCarten - it sounds like you had some bad experiences with inappropriate touching in your life. I grew up in an Italian family that always hugged and kissed each other and I am like that with all the people in my life. I have always received a healthy display of affection from family and friends. Hugging and kissing is a natural part of being human. I respect your need for space and not being touched because you are clearly protecting yourself from harm due to something that happened in your past that you are afraid of having repeated but it is sad that you have to feel that way about a natural and spontaneous display of human affection.

Debbie: That's sad that you feel like that. Maybe one day you'll learn to trust again, good luck with that.

The only thing that really bothers me about what you said is "For me, this need to hug makes me wonder how desparately people seem to NEED the contact..." Hello!!! The basis of human existance is that we DO NEED physical contact! The human psyche does not thrive otherwise. How much or how little we choose to acceot or give is rightly up to our own selves. But, yes Debbie, we do NEED it. Talk to any psychologist, and they'll say the same.

I did not mean to offend, just clear up!

...flu is spread by droplets in the air...from up to 7 feet away depending on the breeze...

spit, gum and sweat (and other fluids people tend to spray in public places) can spread disease well after the disgusting person has gone.

bad attitude is a disease

lack of contact is a proven cause of disease

I think you need a BIG BEAR HUG!

I'm sure you are a bundle of fun with lots of close, personal friends. actually you sound like an angry, bitter person. too bad - what you really need is a HUG!!!

Wow, viki - you sure disease isn't spread by sticks in the mud??

less contact makes machines out of healthy young children. Like that Harry Potter movie that just came out. Soon we'll have fat frog ladies telling us to stay 8 inches away from each other and not to use our wands unless in an emergency. Puh-lease.