I’m not a big hugger. I don’t like hugging women; I like hugging men even less. Most people know this.
That is to say, most women know this. Just last week, I was solicited for a hug by a very sweet guy friend. I thought about negotiating a side-hug, but he asked so pleasantly I decided to go for it.
I stepped in and mushed my boobs into his chest, but still leaving some space for Jesus on the lower parts. Not too much, though. I still remember the criticism I faced at church when even my Baptist girlfriends criticized my hugging technique with “Why do you stick out your butt whenever someone hugs you?”
Then I was inspired. I wrapped my arms around him and slapped his back two times, and gruffly said, “MAN HUG!’
It was great. Slapping the back twice added a nuance that said THIS IS NOT A SEXUAL THING, which is why I imagine men do it when they hug each other.
I cannot wait until the next time a woman hugs me. I think the Man Hug Technique will make all hugs tolerable.