the awkward turtle has finally met his match
it's not that I am offended, but honestly, how has our world become afraid of giving hugs?
My explanation:
- the whole swine flu H1N1 thing
- no one actually knows how to give a good hug
- they're just embarrassed
Before I continue with this, be sure that I am in no way shape or form claiming that I give superior hugs than the rest. I am just saying that in the past week, I have one story in which the person I tried to hug was like, "eh I think that's a little too much."
She obviously didn't understand my hugging past. If at all possible, I will give a hug:
Reconnecting with friends....HUG!
Meeting someone for the first time (through friends).......HUG!
Giving the sign of peace at church (Catholic Mass)......HUG!
Meeting the elderly at nursing homes and/or bingo night.....HUG!
I think you get the point, I like giving hugs. I just feel that you can learn more about a person from a quick embrace, rather than a pathetic little handshake. Hugs reinforce the concept of joy and friendship; you can never feel that though someone's hand.
Ok so back to the story. So I saw someone from my dorm floor last year at the library and walked over to go see her. As I leaned in to give her a hug, she kind of backed away, so I almost tripped on top of her. I was so taken aback that she actually rejected my casual hug that I unconsciously just grabbed her, held her awkwardly for like 3 seconds and then let go. She responded with "uhh guess I'll see you later."
Thank you for now making my day awkward.
I contemplated this life altering event as I walked across the Oval to my house and finally realized when I got to my house:
To my sickened dismay, hugs are going out of style. I mean honestly, do I need to show the Dave Matthews Band video “Everyday?” to everyone. If you haven't seen this video, I advise you too because then you might know what I am talking about.
The man in the music video literally walks around the town asking random people for hugs. Some comply and others are naturally freaked out, but towards the end his concept has made the town's news and everyone begins to hug each other as if it was completely normal.
So now, I have decided I am going to be like that hairy-goodwill-clothes-wearing man and start a hugging revolution in the city of Columbus. That one encounter with a friend will not stop me from greeting everyone like I always have. Maybe you'll see me one day on the news, the "strange man who is hugging people for no good reason."
But honestly, I’m just trying to spread a little love, joy, and friendship….one hug at a time.