I am more a one arm hugger. I don't mind hugs so much.....just don't hang onto me. I never pay much attention to technique though.

DH's family is full of huggers. Mine wasn't, but I got used to it quickly. I don't think there are many rules. One arm, both arms, heads wherever, just don't bump noses when you both go for the same side. I prefer one arm for people I don't know well.

Hug when arriving, hug again when leaving. Even if you'll see them later today. They ARE a hugging bunch!

I don't know I have not paid attention. I am a one arm hugger too because I usually am hanging on to something, cane, walker, or seated in chair. I don't mind if it is someone I know but I think it's kind of weird to hug a complete stranger. So I often will quickly put out my hand for a hand shake.

I think it's a bit like with driving, Jim-bo - ya gotta keep watch as you approach where it appears as though the other one is headed ... (but the "taking evasive action as may seem indicated" is less applicable).

My Mom's family are more demonstrative; though she was out of my life from just under age six, we did have get-togethers with others of her family from time to time. Dad was an only child in a family that wasn't substantially demonstrative, I think.

I find that I enjoy a hug with someone whom I know fairly well and for whom I feel affection, but I find that when I do it with people that I scarcely know I seem to develop less enthusiasm. But even then, it often produces some warm feelings.

Don't have much to offer in the way of technique, I regret to say.

ole joyful

I had to think about it but I'm pretty sure every time I do get/give a hug, head goes to the right.

Regarding frequency, I'm not much of a hugger either, so I would only hug if the other person initiated.

I'm not much of a hugger here either. Just go with the moment, how ever it works out will be fine and forgotten quickly.

I'm right handed and a one-arm hug puts the other person's head to the right of my head (from my perspective).

In parts of France and Belgium, a greeting between friends (of opposite gender) involves a hug and three quick pecks on the cheek or in the air. It starts on the other person's right cheek (to the left from your view), which requires their head be on the right

I prefer hand shakes to hugs, hugs to three cheek kisses, "hi, how have you been?" even better, or a clink of a wine glass.

Timely question, Jim. I'm a leftie and wondered if my inclination to have the other person's head on my right was "natural" or related to my handedness. Not a big sample here yet, but I think I should switch sides so I'm accommodating the right majority.

I don't hug, keeps it simple.

Elmer has the custom right. People start as though they were going to touch right cheeks together. Nobody does this recently developed 'full body embrace' with strangers. It's a 'pecking' motion. (You can still smell the lady's perfume. LOL)

I am so old that I have had to try to learn to accept a handshake. When I was young, it was up to the lady to offer her hand -- or not. Now people think I'm stand-offish if I recognize them by looking them in the eye and smile.

I don't want to touch *everybody* -- or have Mr. Feely touch me! The handshake was originally between men and intended to show that neither man was armed.

I guess I'm the odd one here, I am definitely a hugger! Well, not with strangers, or when meeting someone for the first time, of course. I have no idea if there is any protocol, or proper way to hug anyone or not, I just do what comes naturally, kind of following the lead of whoever I'm about to hug. You can tell by their body language if they are a hugger or not. And since I now walk with a cane, I mostly give one armed hugs. if approached with wide open arms by someone I would really prefer not to hug, or get hugged by, I just sort of grab my cane with both hands, directly in front of me, ad comment something to the effect "Oops, about to lose my balance here". Unfortunately, that may not be all that far from the truth, as my balance is really a problem.

One thing I really REALLY detest, is a handshake from someone that gives a very limp, soft, lifeless hand. Gives me the eebie-jeebies! Creepy!

Rusty

Perhaps thanks to creepy and or sexually frustrated members of my gender, some women have become wary/skittish/or avoidant of full frontal to frontal hugs. So a male/female hug for some is most comfortable when accomplished with a 45 degree turn and the body contact being somewhat sideways hip to hip.

The last thing I ever want to do is make someone uncomfortable so for me, that's a hug all the same.

Rusty's not alone; I'm a hugger. And, in many cases, a kisser. I got home a little while ago from a gathering in which I gave/received a number of hugs and kisses on the cheek. Their heads were always on my right.

So . . . what are your feelings about kissing? A number of my male friends kiss me on the lips in greeting--just a "peck," I guess I'd call it. Come to think of it, all the musicians do this. Many other male friends don't. My Dutch friend does the three kisses thing, but his go cheek-cheek-lips.

One of my girlfriends gives all of her girlfriends a peck on the lips. I'm sure it's her family custom. My parents kissed me on the lips my whole life, and I did the same when my children were young, but I know some people aren't comfortable with this.

I'm also with Rusty about wimpy handshakes. I taught my kids to do it right.

I just learned to hug in the last few years. I was estranged from family for many years but reconnected and get more hugs than ever before. I'll never get used to it but will never say no. If they need hugs I hug. I've begun to initiate a time or two as well. It's a good way to express love and or caring instantly. Some of my clients hug me and I hug back on holidays and birthdays etc. I am a hugging machine. ;) No one kisses though. I wouldn't say no to a peck on the cheek from family.

I love people and have even hugged strangers. I don't like handshakes at all. After parking my quad cane, I hug with my right arm and their head is to the right of my head.

My family hugs, clings, kisses. We don't measure intensity, position or length of time.

We do have one in-law who hugs A frame style, face to face but only shoulders touching. Such a prude.

Strangers, a handshake is fine unless you meet at the urinal.

Hugs for acquaintances and newly met folks is a quick affair, hug and release. Too fast to worry about where heads are, I'm trying not to smash my boobs into anyone :-)

Can I just say, "Please, no hugs," or do I have to trot out some excuse like having a cold. I'm not sure which is stranger, Mr. Feely, or the man hugging 'carefully', with his posterior stuck out behind him. (Just lean in, fella -- but not to ME!)

We are a huggy bunch. It just seems to naturally go with right cheeks together. If I have something in my hands, purse, on occasion a cane, glass, whatever, it will be a one arm hug. However, if I am greeting someone who gives off vibes I am uncomfortable with, I have no hesitation whatsoever in offering my hand to shake.