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The Hello Hug:
This is the hug two people exchange when they meet at social dos.
Between a man and a woman: Between two acquaintances of different sexes, it’s generally a short hug, from shoulder-to-shoulder and may include a peck on the cheek.
Between two women: The hug becomes a longer one, usually accompanied by a peck on either cheek and phrases like, “It’s been so long!” or “You look lovely!”
Between two men: The hug is generally a short one preceded by a ritual grasping of right palms and greetings such as “What’s up?” or “How’s life man?”
The Comforter:
That one gloomy day when your best friend comes and gives you a looooong intense hug — that’s the comforter. It’s the hug you need when you’re sad, vulnerable or depressed.
Heart to heart:
This is the hug lovers exchange when they meet. It’s like the hello hug but much more intense and usually includes a kiss.
The Reverse hug:
Again a romantic hug, it’s when someone clasps you from behind to convey affection. It involves an element of surprise, as the huggee doesn’t know that he/she is going to be the target. Both individuals are very close, displaying affection and trust.
The Seated hug:
Yes, it’s the friendly arm you put on a friend’s shoulder to show you care. Also called the ‘just good friends’ hug since between a male and female it can often be misconstrued to mean something more.
The dance-floor hug:
It’s the way two people embrace on the dance floor while jiving to a song, especially a romantic track. The man’s hands are around a woman’s waist and her’s are around his neck.
The cyber hug:
Most often used on social networks such as Facebook, it’s the hug sent to you by a concerned contact, most often as a reassurance that you’ll be alive after an endeavour. It’s the only kind of hug where physical contact isn’t required.
The sms hug:
The hug emoticon for long-distance hugs. Or for those too shy or awkward to really hug.
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| IT’S OKAY TO HUG: Meredith Grey and Cristina Yang in Grey’s Anatomy |
The Sandwich hug:
It’s a hug between three people to display mutual admiration and concern, most common between a child and parents or three best friends.
The Group Hug:
FRIENDS or How I Met Your Mother , anyone? The Group hug symbolises friendship among a large bunch of people, shared mostly after an intense fight or when members achieve success in individual ventures.
The Huggle:
It’s a blend of the Bear hug and jiggle. It involves hugging a person tight and then shaking them about a fixed position. The huggle is a symbol of happiness and is most common among the youth today.
National Hugging Day
According to all-knowing Wikipedia, National Hugging Day is an annual holiday created by Rev. Kevin Zaborney. It is officially recognised by the United States Copyright Office but is not a public holiday. The date January 21 was chosen because it marks a midpoint between Christmas and Valentine’s Day, where people are figured to be at their emotional low. The best way to celebrate today? Well, there’s only one — offer a hug to anyone and everyone you like :D
Get your hug right
GROOMING PRO NAYANIKA CHATTERJEE ON THE DO AND DON’T OF HUGGING:
Who to hug:
Someone you are really close to.
Who not to hug:
Bosses! Sometimes, a pat on the back is better if she/he is an acquaintance. Pssst: avoid hugging people with body odour.
When to hug:
When you are happy! Or sometimes when you are too sad.
When not to hug:
Anytime is hug time.
How tight should be a hug:
It should not cause any pain. It should be comfortable. Reserve bear hugs for close friends. If he/she is an acquaintance, make sure your bodies touch only slightly.
Where should one’s hands be when hugging:
The person giving the hug should place his/her hands on the middle of the other person’s back. That’s an intimate hug. Hands around the shoulders or the waist also works.
What should one do while hugging:
Do not get overly intimate and do not prolong it beyond comfort. That would be giving out the wrong signal.
What to not do while hugging:
Inhale bad breath and body odour!
How long should the hug last:
A few seconds. A quick acknowledgement is what you should be looking at.
Understand the relationship. You cannot be hugging the first person you see on the streets for sure. Guys in college, this is not the time to go and hug anyone you like. Better be careful who you hug and how! For young girls, it is a great time to express their love for someone who doesn’t give them much attention. Hug and say, “Happy Hugging Day!” Hopefully, he will hug you back!.... Hugs vary with the intention. And we sense everything. Make sure your intention is good. If a guy is giving a girl a hug that makes her feel uncomfortable, she can say, “Chill!” It is okay to do that too. For acquaintances, keep it shorter than a yawn.
— Achla Sachdev, grooming expert
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