How To Hug Strangers

Hugging others allows us to make a connection which transfers the energy from the compassion we all share as human beings. We use that energy within our hugs to alleviate each other’s stress by decreasing a hormone called cortisol and releasing a bonding hormone, oxytocin. Physically it lowers blood pressure, slows heart rate and improves our mood. Over time, getting enough hugs not only helps with stress and burnout, but can help heal sickness, disease, loneliness, depression and anxiety. More importantly, it reinforces a sense of gratitude and replenishes the compassion energy within us in an abundance we can spread to others.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the ability to get regular hugs from loved ones, like a spouse, parent or child. We tend to spend most of our time around people like co-workers who we don’t have a personal or intimate relationship with. This can create a hug deficit in people's lives. But, like food and water, the human connection of a hug is necessary for our survival. If you do not have close relationships with others, hugs can be scarce, and although there are mental health resources, or business enterprises that provide for the demand, not everyone can afford to pay for a cuddle. For this reason, many of us have to consider obtaining hugs from random, everyday strangers.

Hugs from strangers can be awkward, inappropriate, and if done incorrectly, illegal. But with some education, coupled with practice, you can reduce the awkwardness and become proficient at cultivating that human connection. Use the tips below to start your, Hugucation.

Give the hug recipient the subliminal queues that you are coming in for the embrace. The hugging of a stranger must always feel organic, so ensure your visual cues are matching the subliminal ones. A hug recipient is more likely to feel comfortable and satisfied with a hug from a stranger, if they subconsciously know that it is coming and are mentally prepared for it, in the short moments.

Make sure you smell good. Create a lasting impression by using your favourite scent. A hug from a great smelling person, not only puts a person at ease, but the lasting scent can rub off on them and linger, reminding them of the pleasant interaction they had with the stranger that embraced them. Try these magnificent scents form Versace: Versace Eros for Men or Versace Bright Crystal for Women

Stay dry. A wet hug from a stranger can feel disgusting. People don’t like wet clothing, let alone the prospect of getting damp from the hug of a stranger. The likelihood of the external dampness will be of the strangers' sweat. No matter the source of dampness, bacteria from sweat can transfer from one body to another, violating the sanctity of personal body odor by causing a fusion of stink between the two people. By hugging a stranger, you are already dangerously close to impeding on their comfort zone with the physical hug, so you do not want to add another layer to trigger a negative reaction to this potential violation of the other person's personal space.

Choose your hug recipient wisely, as it may be your last time hugging a stranger. Personal space could be considered to be within 2-4 feet of another persons body. Getting within the intimate space of between 0-2 ft, could be considered an awkward violation of that personal and intimate space. So, ensure you are confident in the reaction of the stranger you will be hugging. Any adverse reaction on their part could result in civil legal actions that may sanction your ability to hug anyone else publicly, moving forward.

During any conversation leading up to the hug, mention repeatedly the fact that you are a very “touchy-feely person.” It’s an easy warning system for the stranger to expect what is to come, and based on their reaction or body language, it will give you a clearer indication of the appropriateness of executing the hug.

2 Mississippi the embrace. Since you are hugging a stranger your goal is to break the barrier of intimate contact to create a microburst of pleasure, without the effects of real intimacy. The ideal hug of a stranger should be about 2 seconds. 5 seconds is the absolute maximum for a non-intimate partner. The longer the hug, the greater the pleasure boost, Any longer than that can be considered an embrace.

Take the opportunity to mention how in your culture, it is customary to hug people. Be mindful of the fact that, there are varying degrees of acceptance for hugging throughout the world. For example, it’s not unusual to see people from Latin America or the Mediterranean hug as a greeting, whereas, in some Asian cultures, touching is not typical. In the Middle East, men can greet each other with a handshake and a hug, however a hug between a man and a woman is not part of the norm. It’s our diversity that makes us great, so take some time in your day to observe and learn about the mosaic of cultures around you.

Hug with good intentions. Do not overstep your boundaries with other people's personal space, and respect their dignity. Remember, inappropriate touching, restricting people's movement, or suggestive hugging could be considered as forms of physical and sexual harassment.

Don’t do it around their significant other. Avoid jealousy, or emotional discomfort that can result in an altercation between you and the jealous partner. You may inadvertently create tension between the couple.

Maintain an open posture that is “friendly” at all times. This will allow you to look like you are actively engaged with the other person and emotionally available, which allows for a greater acceptance and comfort level from the stranger.

While initiating the embrace outside the personal space, eye contact is necessary, but while in the intimate zone, it is too creepy to lock eyes with a stranger. Don’t look at the other person, straight in the eye’s on the approach. Instead, close your eyes, or go in staring up and away to maintain an emotional distance that is comfortable to the stranger.

Limit, hug pressure. If you put an egg between your chests and do not crush it…that is appropriate, stranger hug pressure.

Maintain appropriate, pelvic distance, in a casual manner. You don’t want to make it seem like you are consciously maintaining pelvic distance so that the pelvic distance does not become the obvious focal point of the hug between you and the stranger.

Make sure that your hands are inactive during the hug, but read the situation, as you may choose to do a slap on the back. If you do complete a slap on the back, keep it mild, with your hands close to the shoulder blades. Also,do not rub the other person's back. The only time that a rub is appropriate, is during a consoling hug, where you are a “first responder” to a stranger's obvious emotional distress.

How To Hug Strangers

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