Why are Americans such huggers?

[sjoes006]

Why are Americans such huggers?

Look, nothing is wrong with affectionate hugging when it’s sincere.

It’s obligational hugging that I really don’t like. Business partners you maybe see once a year but you need to hug if you talk everyday even if maybe that isn’t your rapport. Others that is your extremely close report. You’ve met so many times and ultimately trust each other to know what to other would want to do.

Then there’s hugging acquaintances. This is okay, the side hug.

My favourite point in a relationship with a friend is the them knowing i don’t like hugs phase. Happens early, we don’t hug hello and goodbye. But my hugs mean something and they know it. Hugs are meant to comfort not greet.

Does anyone else know what I’m talking about?

You’re in a meeting or group of friends and one person hugs then the rest do so you now have to. Half of those people only hugged because that was the tone hugs not handshakes.

[MissDawn7961]

All Americans are not huggers ! I was born and raised in America and we all are not huggers ! Some people like to be hugged and some do not ! We say - hello - to others by - waving - , - hugging - , - shaking hands - and so forth but not to many people in America go up and hug just anyone like this question acts like we Americans do ! Thanks

[BrookieCookie0422]

Yeah I think hugging for us is used when greeting good friends. Older women will hug basically everyone lmfao
That can be a little uncomfortable but I find it adorable tbh lol.
Guys usually won’t hug each other. They’ll shake hands or fist bump or something.

[Ellie-V]

That’s mainly a southern thing and they are like that because of the intimate sense of community.

[mistixs]

This is only the case for certain parts of the US. Other parts of the US are more stand-offish.

[sjoes006]

Perhaps. I’d be pressed to think of any major city where this isn’t true for business relations or friendships.

But yeah socially it’s cool not to hug on the East coast. This is why I don’t like hugging in groups of people.

[young_old_soul]

I don't know, that's all I've ever known. In a lot of other cultures it's common for people to greet with a kiss, which seems strange to me as an American, but would be considered normal in those places. It's all about perspective.

[sjoes006]

Yep yep, perfect point. I have to go around letting friends or collègues not to go around hugging people in France. They don’t like it.

A French person won’t try to share a cheek to cheek greeting (la bise) with you unless they know you speak French or are familiar and comfortable with their culture.

It’s not an actual kiss, it’s a barely to no face touching with this cheeks side by side and kissing sound.

I don’t know how else to explain, but it’s much less aggressive than a hug.

[Anonymous]

Must be a regional thing. It's not like that in the Northeast.

[sjoes006]

This is true, the Northeast, they don’t hug. But West Coast, SW, South, Middle America... these people are inappropriate huggers.

I hate it.

[Opinion Owner]

Thank you for mhg

[Anonymous]

Because hugging is awesome and were going to nuke all the green parts of "not America" for oil and lack of hugs eventually.

[Clearblueskye]

I think it’s just cultural just like Latinos greet by a kiss on the cheek.

[Uannoyme]

I'm American, and I'm definitely not a hugger.

[Anonymous]

I was raised to hug a lady and a handshake for the men

[Jdhofp]

Cultural differences. Here, hugging is greeting

[sjoes006]

It isn’t okay. Most people with any brain know better than to go grabbing a business guest in from China for a hug.

Hugs are being misused to portray and image of power and connective. It’s a display for the on lookers, as a ranking system.

[Thatsamazing]

Um... we aren't, generally speaking.

[sjoes006]

Give it time. Once you enter a white collar job there are certain people you will sincerely hug.

And others that you have to.

[Thatsamazing]

Well... I'm in one now, and it doesn't really happen. Maybe I'm not very huggable.

[MarshmallowFellow]

They're trying to rob your money haha. Jokes.

[Vesta]

im not?