Hugging Total Strangers
@polaris77 (2040)
Bacau, Romania
July 26, 2012 11:09am CST
A young woman found an original way of coping with the stress of moving from a small community to a big city:to stop feeling homesick and lonely she went out in the streets and asked people who were total strangers to give her a hug:
http://www.odditycentral.com/news/woman-turns-to-serial-hugging-to-cure-homesickness.html#more-30572
It appears that her initiative was successful because people agreed to hug her and she enjoys this method of interacting with others and she plans to continue doing this,so if you were in her shoes,alone in a big city,would you have the courage to approach people in the streets like she did?And how would you react if a complete stranger came out of nowhere and asked you for a hug?
6 responses
@Suggar (3606)
• Bulgaria
26 Jul 12
I wouldn't do that. Not because I would feel ashamed of my wishes, just it is not my style of attitude. I am little out of social life right now, all what happens to me, is happening online.
So this is the line which separates me from the world and getting to know other people, also keeping contacts with them. I think I am too much into the online instead of the offline which is not cool.
How I would react? Probably would say why not 
It is a nice thing. I would never say no to such person, but I myself wouldn't start hugging campaign.
It is a nice thing. I would never say no to such person, but I myself wouldn't start hugging campaign. 
@Suggar (3606)
• Bulgaria
26 Jul 12
The truth for me is that when I was in my teenage I would encourage such ideas, because at that time I still believed there is a good thing in people, in the world, in acts of different governments. I was still hoping that somewhere below our great and kind manners there is a heart hidden.
Well since I grow up I was disappointed of different people and every disappointment was showing me how wrong was I.
Of course there are still good people, shiny covers with good hearts, but when we grow up, we somehow forget about world peace dreams and so on ...
And we get stuck into the reality.
@polaris77 (2040)
• Bacau, Romania
26 Jul 12
It is indeed an act which requires a certain attitude and even courage and many of us would prefer not to do it simply because it doesn't characterize them,but,just like you,I would also say why not if I met such a person.A hug is completely harmless and it is a way of bringing people together,after all.
1 person likes this
@polaris77 (2040)
• Bacau, Romania
28 Aug 12
That's true,not every person has the courage to do such an adventurous thing.That woman has that kind of bravery and luckily for here most people are friendly and accept to hug with open arms.
@polaris77 (2040)
• Bacau, Romania
26 Jul 12
It is indeed an act of bravery from her and it's nice to see that people had positive reactions;she might make this world a slightly better place with her attitude.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
26 Jul 12
Uh... I would be taking several steps away from the person... I would think that the person was trying to pick my pockets, give me a disease, knife me in the back... something along those lines.
Call me paranoid, but I like my personal space and don't trust those who try to invade it. I try to limit my hugs to those to whom I am very close. I've gotten caught by "huggers" before in social settings. I tried to not cringe too much as I made the effort to carefully extricate myself from their clutches.
@polaris77 (2040)
• Bacau, Romania
26 Jul 12
I think your attitude is logical;after all,you know nothing about that person,and appearances may be deceptive sometimes.Those who are more open and accept hugging immediately probably don't think about the risks they might face,they have complete confidence in others,which,of course,is not always a good thing.
@ronadelle (1547)
• Philippines
26 Jul 12
I love her story! I went straight to her blog after reading this discussion in my email and i think that I was just engrossed to her lovely story already. She for me is a wonderful woman. She found a way to cure her homesickness and that hugging vow for a year continues that made her shine! Her endeavor on this thing is really something inspiring. Thanks for sharing this and for that I now follow her 'full of her virtual hugs' blog!
@polaris77 (2040)
• Bacau, Romania
26 Jul 12
I'm sure many other people who visit her blog are impressed by her story and I think some of them will follow her example.It looks like hugging can be a great therapy for many souls who may find it easier to deal with stress,so I'm convinced she will inspire many others to make their own lives happier.
@bettymarie (125)
• United States
26 Jul 12
I've been hugged by strangers and it was an interesting experience. This wonderful woman seems very sweet. I'm sure people need that hug, we all need a hug and from a total stranger is often seen as unusual and scary but it's really not. I would probably do the same thing if I was her. I admit I'd be a bit nervous at first but like I say, everyone needs a hug.
@polaris77 (2040)
• Bacau, Romania
27 Jul 12
I agree with you,everyone needs a hug from time to time,and it's important to try to leave our concerns and suspicions behind in some occasions and simply trust such people.I think a simple hug can be very beneficial for our state of mind,and we have nothing to lose if we hug someone.
