How do I hug a person of the opposite sex if we're friends?

[Anonymous]

We're good friends; nothing more (there was a bit of a spark and attraction between us but I want to stress to him that we're strictly friends). I'll be seeing him for the first time in months this summer. How would I hug him to just let him know it's good to see him as a friend and that I miss him. The traditional one arm around his neck? I always thought the two-handed behind the neck meant something more and I don't want to give him mixed signals. He's an older man if that makes any difference.

[82fender]

I think the difference between a friend vs lover hug has more to do more with body positioning than arms. When I hug a female friend or relative I will lean over more so that my collar bone area is touching theirs instead of boob to chest. When I hug a girlfriend I stand up completely straight so that her full body is touching mine.

[EasyEC]

Attach a hint to the hug that you are just friends. For example, as you are opening your arms, you could say something like:

"Hey! So and So! An old friend wants to give you a new hug"

If you don't flirt and don't unnecessarily pine for his approval when you see him, the message will be clear--you're just friends.

[philosophersdilemma]

When you see him approaching him, or when you're approaching him, hold out your arms. Surprise hugs (surprisingly) aren't usually as great as the expected ones :)