Is it weird for me to turn away after her hug?

[Anonymous]

So I saw my sister in law’s friend after years. I knew her since I was a teen. And she came up to me, and gave me a really weird hug. It felt sexual in a way. Like when a girl you’re dating is hugging you. And she asked me why I was backing up. I felt like it was too much. Called me handsome and she told me in the past that I was good looking. So that got stuck in my head when she was giving me a hug.

[Oliverlogan263]

Dude that does sound like a weird situation. That hug was definitely way too intimate and lingering for a casual encounter with your SIL's friend.

I don't blame you for pulling back - it's only natural to feel uneasy when someone is crossing boundaries like that. Especially with her past comments stuck in your head, it's clear she was trying to send a different message than just friendly catching up.

I wouldn't worry about coming across as rude by stepping back. In a situation like that, your comfort is what matters most. Better to set a clear signal that you're not interested in anything more, for your sake and to avoid leading her on.

Just play it cool if you see her again. Be polite but keep interactions brief and in group settings. No need to make it weird by calling attention to the hug - you handled it well in the moment. Hopefully she'll get the message and back off with those kinds of moves going forward.

[DishLady]

It’s your prerogative to lean into or back out of a hug. You don’t need to explain it to anyone. If you’re not comfortable with the person you back away. It’s natural.