The Four Ultimate Rules of Hugging

It feels good to hug and be hugged not to mention the health benefits that go with it. Nevertheless, hugging is a personal choice that differs for individuals.

Having this in mind will enable you not to feel hurt when someone declines you a hug.

To avoid awkward situations, here are some tips you could use:

Read the other person’s signal

Do not rush into a hug, assuming that it is okay. Take a pause and study the other person’s body language. Is he or she standing upright or leaning towards you?

Ask for permission

You might start to wonder on the relevance of asking for the permission to hug, but believe that is not cliché, it is civilized and it gives the other person respect and opportunity to voice out his or her to voice their comfort level. An exception to this is when you are already on intimate terms.

A boy gets a bear hug during graduation. Photo: Zikoko

The three-second rule

According to the three-second rule, placing your arm not too low around the other person, is best when hugging someone for the first time. Being that hugging is communicating, and listening is key, you both can be able to determine how your next hug will be.

Maintaining personal hygiene

When sweaty, it is best to avoid hugging someone, except the person tells you that he or she does not mind. Also, stay clean. Body odour is offensive.

The type of hugs shared amongst people, says a lot about their relationship. The duration, as well as the proximity, determines the depth.

Here are some types of hugs:

Hand-hug

Also known as a handshake, this is the most commonly shared hug. Appropriate for the workplace, it also best for when you just cannot read the signal right.

Side-to-side hug

This is two people standing next to one another and embracing around the waist or shoulder.

Bear hug

This is a full body hug with both persons wrapping their arm tightly around each other and sometimes rocking back and forth.

Wandering hands hug

As the name suggests, this type of rug is characterized by hands roaming and caressing around the backs of each other.

Pound hug

This is mostly always performed by two males. It is the combination of a hand-hug and a one-armed hug which lasts for about a second.

Hugging is a wonderful way of showing your affection but remember to use your best judgment when engaging in one.