Free hugs anyone?

You may have seen the "free hugs" video on Youtube about a man offering a hug to passers-by in the street. Well, some Japanese people were so impressed they decided to try something similar.



A man from Sendai was the first to create a free hug community with around 2000 Japanese huggers. He said:

No preparation or special skills are needed -- other than a placard and the courage to smile at strangers with open arms.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20061226f1.html

Click to expand...

However, on his first day on the street he got a grand total of only 4 hugs. It might just be me, but I think he's got his work cut out for him in Japan.

So I was wondering what I would do if greeted by the said huggers. Would I be No.5?

Because I've got nothing better to do, I narrowed it down to a number of key factors:

• whether the person looked like a loony
• how good-looking the hugger is
• my mood - if it's bad, everyone gets a 'bugger off'
• whether the person looked in any way like a religious nut
• whether I have had my quota of cuddles for that day (unlikely me thinks)

So, maybe, just maybe, I could have been No.5. But seeing as I am in the middle of nowhere and the chances of the hug campaign coming to the southern islands, I'm off to hug a monkey.

Would you hug or not?

As an uptight American that likes his personal space, I'm not sure if I'd be willing to let a stranger hug me outside of special circumstances. On the other hand, I think the free hug campaign is a sweet idea, and if I were so inclined, wouldn't mind handing out the hugs. Perhaps I'm more open to the idea of hugging a stranger if I'm the one initiating it?

I'm like a cat- I love hugs and being cuddled...But only if the person smells well ( perfume or at least soap!!!)
Prrrrr....

More like a street performer solicitating free hugs.