Hugs and Kisses

I guess most of you will have already met them: free hug volunteers. As this is a widespread phenomenon I don’t think I should retell the same story again. I was recently reminded of this campaign by an email I received. I support this campaign but I do have a “nothing new under the sun” feeling. Since high school I’ve been campaigning hugging as a way to ameliorate your life. Me and a group of friends were fierce huggers, boys and girls alike. And at the end of my high school studies also teachers had to undergo our hug attacks. Of course, hugging friends isn't very exceptional although there still is some prejudice, certainly north of the 51th parallel. Some Walloon friends also taught me to kiss, or hug/kiss friends as a greeting. Kissing other male beings is still taboo in some parts of Europe and I don’t really get why. Even science's backed my up claiming that shaking hands is a risk to your health: kisses on the cheek are a way healthier option.

I got myself in to peculiar discomfort when travelling to Finland for the first time. I met the boyfriend of my girlfriend’s sister. And by force of habit and conviction, I wrapped my arms around him. Milliseconds later I realised: this isn’t the proper way! A painful first impression. Later on I got used to the playing it safe: first shake hands until you know hugs will be accepted and appreciated. That turned out to be a good strategy. Eventually - logically with some people from the start - hugs were accepted. Even my first "victim" responded with a hug to my held out hand. So far, so good. Until Last Christmas, again by force of habbit and conviction, I learned that hellokisses (to other males) are not done. But such things happen when cultures meet, and as long as people don’t taboo you for your acts, there is still hope. Importing customs is not always easy (or desirable), despite the fact they pass the Customs without strife. Whether it is desirable or not, is a great question for an interesting discussion. I think it might be desirable, as you might have already guessed. Human-animal (non-sexual of course!) physical contact is widespread. Puppies melt our hearts and cats and kittens get treated like teddybears. Interhuman and certainly intermale (non-sexual) contact is often tabooed. I do know, and many will agree, that hugs cheer you up and brighten your day. So if your still in doubt: go out on the street and try it! If you don’t know how, I added a video explaining you the procedure. I found it in the email I mentioned. It made me smile and feel warmhearted. I hope it does the same to you.