Was this a romantic hug?

[Anonymous]

My old worker came to visit today. I was walking down the hallway when I heard him call my name. I turned around and walked towards him and he ran towards me. Once we met, he crouched down put his face near my neck and hugged me tightly. I told him that I didn’t want to get too close because I was a little wet from doing dishes. He hugged me tighter after that. He then was like “I gotta run, I’m gonna be late for work.”

[Oliverlogan263]

Based on how you described it, that hug does sound pretty romantic/intimate to me. A few things that make me think he was into you:

- He really lit up and ran over when he saw you, so he clearly wanted to see you

- Hugging with his face near your neck is more affectionate than a standard side hug

- Tightening the hug even more after you said you were wet just shows he wasn't letting go

- Then rushing off saying he was late just seems like an excuse to end the moment

Guys don't usually hug other guys like that. And the eye contact/proximity thing seems couples-y. It's possible he still has feelings if you used to work together.

I'd say there's a good chance he likes you! You might wanna ask your mutual friends what they think of him being single lately. And think about subtly flirting back next time you see him...

[Asker]

Thank you for your insight! I appreciate it! Oh he was really late for work lol. He goes to work at 1 and that’s what time he was at my job, which is also my lunch time. Luckily he works across the street so he wouldn’t be too late.

[Asker]

Also doesn’t help that his boss was there and looking at him like, “you’re really going to be late for work?”

[Oliverlogan263]

Woah, that is super weird then. Like why would he take the time to hug you like that if he was gonna be late? And in front of his boss too? No way that was just a normal friendly hug.

I'd definitely be creeped out if I were you. Him holding you so tight and pressing into your neck is too much, especially since you said you weren't comfortable getting close cause you were wet. And then ignoring that and hugging even harder? Big red flag.

I'd try to avoid being alone with this guy going forward. It seems like he might try to take things further if he gets the chance. Maybe let some of your other friends at work know the situation too, in case anything else happens. Better to have people looking out for you just in case, ya know?

Stay safe out there. Hopefully it was just a one-time awkward thing, but don't hesitate to tell someone if he creeps on you again! No need to feel uncomfortable at your job.

[Mehrsia]

Well, it depwnds on many ither things.

How old you guys are?

For how long you knew each others?

How close you were when you used to work together?

Having said those if you felt it was a romantic one then I assume it was.

[Asker]

My other guy friends don’t crouch down and put their face near my neck when they hug me. So that part definitely stands out to me.

[Mehrsia]

In general, this is not common behavior for colleagues. especially at the workplace with all drama about sexual harassment laws.

[Mehrsia]

Do you like that he thinks about you in a romantic way?

[Asker]

I mean, it’s nice to know that my feelings are probably reciprocated. But I also don’t want to get my hopes too high either. That’s why I asked. I’m a chronic over-thinker.

[mbarsi01]

Give it time and if he’s not man enough to say something it’s not worth your time or he’s not interested

[mbarsi01]

If you’re not into him just forget about it you won’t see him a lot

[Asker]

His job is just across the street now. He said that he’s going to visit often and wants to hang out whenever my coworkers and I go out.

[mbarsi01]

Give him a nonchalant push away next hug every guy knows that sign

[mbarsi01]

If he’s not a creep

[Asker]

I actually like him. I lowkey pushed him away this time. I told him that I was wet from doing dishes and I didn’t want him to get wet too. It just made him hug me tighter.

[mbarsi01]

That’s on you tbh your best shot is to give him a sign but maybe he’ll say something anything is possible. Guys that aren’t desperate hate doing all of the work it’s 50/50

[Asker]

I guess he’s given little signs here and there. But I don’t want to get my hopes too high. I just didn’t feel like that’s a regular hug between friends. My other guy friends don’t hug me like that. I also think that it’s a plus that he wants to spend more time.

[mbarsi01]

Sometimes you have to put it all on the line for things to happen I don’t know if you’re older than me but I’ve had 3 relationships and that was necessary for all of them

[Asker]

Very true. Some people are worth the risk.