Tuesday, October 14, 2008

{Hugs}

Tonight I was asked to speak at our ward's Young Women in Excellence. The theme was the "Worth of Souls" and the girl who was doing it as one of her YW projects used a whole shoe theme with "soles." Anyway, it was way cute from invites to refreshments and it was so good to be there. Serving in the stake means I don't really get to mingle as much with the young women, so it was a good change.

After I was done speaking I was going around talking to some of the girls and leaders, and as girls do (old and young) there was some hugging. I guess by the time I went out to the car I had some thoughts to process about the many kinds of hugs. For example. I went to hug the gal who organized the whole program tonight and tell her what a good job and we both opened our arms to embrace and we embraced {insert warm fuzzy and encouraging words from me here} and then she begins to rock from side to side. I seriously thought, "Oh, that's swing-y" and I guess I am just not a real swing-y type of hugger.

On my way out the door, one of the mom's walked up to me, with her arms extended (which invites a hug, right?!) and told me I did a nice job and so I thank her and reach in to hug her, but APPARENTLY I was invading some personal space because she backed right back up. I was totally perplexed. Did she want a hug? Did she want a side squeeze? Maybe just a back pat? It was weird and then there was all this awkward body movements trying to get our own space back . . . I'm tellin' ya, it was weird.

And once I got in the car I started thinking, there's got to be some sort of hug etiquette. Like, you don't have to squeeze the guts out of someone; that's kinda rude. Intimate hugs should NOT have back pats [one time Tyler and I totally cracked up because he gave me a back-pat-hug on his way out the door to work. As soon as he patted me and started saying his good-byes, I interrupted him to say, "Did you just pat my back?" I was genuinely surprised. Then it was kinda funny because it is just not how you hug your spouse.] I'm a fan of the side squeeze, especially if I'm not sure the person wants a hug and/or it's someone of the opposite sex. Just put my arm around the shoulder and give a little squeeze; nothing too serious. No grinding with hugs. That's not necessary, (I'm still trying to convince Tyler of that idea, though) but y'all know there have been times where you've thought, "Ew, too much chest there" or "that was a full-body press fer sher!" And how do you hug when one is standing and one is sitting? It's terribly awkward, I think. I tried it tonight, but I ended up totally squeezing the woman's head . . . and it was bad. I'm just gonna throw it out there, that proper hug etiquette would require the sitter to stand.

Anyway, just some random thoughts. And here's a cyber {hug} for each of you that read all that rambling.

12 comments:

Stac said...

this is nate.

My hug rule goes something like this: Don't hug me if you're not in my fart circle. If we aren't close enough for that, I sure don't want you wrapping your arms around me and (worse more) putting your body against mine. Side hugs much more acceptable, but you'd still better have a damn good reason for invading my bubble. General rule of thumb, DON'T HUG ME.

OceanMama said...

Oh Sarah, you have no idea how much I needed to laugh tonight and that was freakin' hilarious to read. I can totally hear your voice and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy, huggy.

As for hugging rules, yep, totally not into hugging people I don't know very well, especially guys, cuz lets face it guys are just horny weirdos sometimes and you never know when you're gonna get one of those, so just don't...

But, hugging girls, I love it (that sounds a little weird). I like giving lots of hugs and spreading the love to the ladies. I actually like giving hugs to people, whom you can tell aren't into it, and squeezing them a bit extra :)
Thanks for making me laugh!

Stac said...

This is Stac.

I love my husband. He has such a warm personality.

annilee said...

I agree with Nate! Ha Ha Ha that was good! Although I can't think of anyone who wouldn't want to hug Sarah!{hugs to you}

sherry said...

OK, so now I'm dieing to know who this lady was that felt all uncomfortable with your hug??? Again Sarah, you did a fantastic job last night tying in our whole theme for the night. I would have given you a hug but you were gone when I went lookin' for you! :)

Nan said...

I don't know if I've ever told you this but you are hands down my favorite person to hug.

Beth said...

Well, not to pat myself on my back (no pun intended!) but I know a woman at work that says I give the best hugs. She always compliments me on them. I like hugs. But, Nate's comment cracked me up. So something you would think/say, Nate! It just makes me appreciate a hug from you even more! And, yes, the sit/stand hug can get awkward, especially if the sitter is short and the stander is tall. You usually just get a head right in your boobs. And, Sarah, by the way, I heard today that you did a fantastic job last night!

Jerolyn said...

Nate I am SOOOO hugging you next time I see you...

full on
straight on
no sideways crap hug either!

Look out buddy...a squishy one's a comin'

Doty6strong said...

Gotta say hugs are just fine with me. From one large breasted woman to another, it does get a little awkward when you feel your boobies pushing up against somebody that is NOT your hubby :)

You should listen to the CD collection by John Lund, FOR ALL ETERNITY, it talks about peoples love language and how we are all different. I'm a touchie feelie so if you wanna hug that's great if not that's cool too. I love the "fart circle" comment from your brother that is classic!

Doty6strong said...

PS- How about those hugs from people who BARELY touch you....what's the point in a hug if you aren't really gonna a hug the person?

The Hulls said...

Thanks for this post Sarah. I've been wanting to greet all my young women with a hug at the door on Sunday's as they arrive. But I have some girls who seem to like their personal space, so I'm not sure whether to hug or not. The side squeeze is a good idea, maybe it'll warm them up for the warm fuzzy hug later. I'm totally a hugger though. I also liked the comment about squeezing the uncomfortable people just a little bit extra, maybe I'll try that too:)Ha, ha!

chris jenkins said...

i've learned over the years that some folks are just not the hugging type - i kind of find it sort of weird and impersonal - but i think it is a matter of how you were brought up. my in-laws aren't hugging people.

i also think it is a matter of where your at and what sort of sitch your in and whether you know the person or not. i don't often hug strangers or people i don't know well.

i also get weirded out by the whole shaking hands thing. i find most people either do not know how, are timid about it, or maybe they are germ-phobes. who knows? i think a hand-shake tells a lot about a person. as does body language.

anyhoo - thanks for the diversion w/ your story, i am in need of those sort of things these days and girl, i'll hug ya'!