18 Struggles You’ll Relate to If You Don’t Like Hugging
When did everyone in the world become such huggers?
People hug to say hello, they hug to say goodbye, they hug to comfort one another—but why?
As someone who adamantly doesn't like to be touched, I'm not down with all this hugging. As it, I barely like to hug my friends, much less people I barely know.
If you're on the same page, keep scrolling for 18 struggles you'll relate to if you don't like hugging.
1. Hugging is never the first thing that comes into your head when you greet people. You don't meet someone and automatically think, "Oh I should give them a hug!" Because honestly, why would you?
(Pretty Little Liars via Freeform)
2. Unfortunately, your lack of thought about hugging also leads to some awkward situations. As in, someone will go in for a hug and you're totally caught off guard and completely clumsy.
3. The other person picks up on your awkwardness, leading to that weird hug/no hug moment where you both kind of have your arms out, but aren't sure what to do with them.
4. Eventually, you settle for a hug. But the damage is already done. You wasted thirty seconds being weird and now the hug is a million times more uncomfortable.
5. You tend to tense up whenever someone tries to hug you. Instead of leaning into it, your body goes completely stiff and you're suddenly unsure what to do with your arms.
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6. Your lack of expertise at hugging makes you all the more inclined to avoid it.
7. In fact, your worry about hugging eventually turns into total dread. You're immediately uncomfortable when you meet new people because you're not sure if they expect a hug or not.
8. Not to mention, you don't know how long the hug is supposed to last. Is it supposed to linger? Or are you only supposed to stand there for a quick second before you pull away? Why is this so difficult?!
9. You honestly don't understand why hugging is the norm. Don't other people think it's weird? Can't everyone just settle for a friendly wave or a quick handshake?
(Parks and Recreation via NBC)
10. You also hate when you've avoided a hug, only to have the other person call it out. "Sorry, I'm a hugger," they coo as they pull you into an uncomfortable embrace. That's great, Karen. I am not—go away.
11. You try to communicate your hate of hugging from the very beginning. If you can catch it before it happens, maybe you can avoid thousands of hugs down the line in this relationship.
12. Unfortunately, announcing that you're not a hugger seems to have no effect. Now, your friends and family just make fun of you for your awkwardness. But do they stop hugging you? Of course not.
13. You actually tend to get frustrated that your position on hugs isn't respected. Why can't you just not like hugs? Why is this such a big deal? Some people are huggers, some are not—it's not the end of the world.
14. You try to conquer your fear of hugs when a friend is upset, but to no avail. You can't be a shoulder to cry on, but you can pat them occasionally from a safe distance.
(Riverdale via The CW)
15. You've had to just deal with your hugging awkwardness on more than one occasion. No, you don't want to give a hug, but you know it will be doubly as awkward if you don't. Let's just get it over with.
16. As against hugs as you are, there are some embraces you enjoy. You just have to be really, really comfortable with the person.
17. You'll simply never understand people who are huggers. Everything about it is unnatural and weird.
18. Unfortunately, you've accepted the plight of being a non-hugger in a huggers world. It's a burden you'll simply have to bear, and one you'll complain about every time you get the chance.
Not only do we live in a huggers' world, but there are just so many kinds of huggers. Click HERE for seven types of huggers everyone encounters.