Hugs and Cuddles

[Mups]

I have just been reading about a woman  who started her own business of giving hugs and cuddles to people.   It seems to be doing very well, too, and she has  both male and female clients.

 I was amazed to read there are actually special training courses you can enrol on to learn how to become a professional hugger!    Surely hugging either comes naturally - or it doesn't?
She reckons that just a 20 second  cuddle is enough to boost our 'happy hormones.'

I have always liked shows of affection,  but I can't imagine ever paying someone for it,  would you?
From what the article said,  a lot of people do though.  There must be a lot of lonely people about.

(I must add -  it only ONLY hugs,  nothing naughty). 

[Raven]

Would totally wig me out. I'm not one for hugging, but there's a childhood reason for that.
Animals though, I was always hugging my dogs.

[Mups]

Would totally wig me out. I'm not one for hugging, but there's a childhood reason for that.
Animals though, I was always hugging my dogs.

Yep,  me too.  

[klondike]

Sounds weird to me.

[Mups]

Sounds weird to me.

Some men go to prostitutes for sex,  do you find that's weird?  Maybe others only want a hug?

Apparently it started when she was going through a bad patch herself a few years back,  and was sobbing, and her friend held her, and it helped her to calm down and feel better.

After that she started learning Reiki -  (I used to do that a very long time ago)  - and that taught her all about 'energy,'  and  found that that human touch was a powerful thing. 

She met people going through traumas or others who struggled with loneliness, etc,  and it appears her business is doing well.
I suppose if it brings comfort to those in need,  it may be better than taking drugs!

[muddy]

I would not like to be hugged by a stranger but ....I get lots of hugs and the physical touch of another sentient being is very important .
That is why people love their pets especially dogs who give love so unconditionally .
They care not for looks or riches .
Even cats by their warm and comforting presence give people a nice feeling .
The warm of another living being .
It's sad though that so many people never get hugged .
Old people because they are alone , young people because they are not loved enough .
British people are not known for being physically affectionate when I married my latin American husband I found it charming how physically affectionate his family was .
We all need to be hugged .

[Mups]

I would not like to be hugged by a stranger but ....I get lots of hugs and the physical touch of another sentient being is very important .
That is why people love their pets especially dogs who give love so unconditionally .
They care not for looks or riches .
Even cats by their warm and comforting presence give people a nice feeling .
The warm of another living being .
It's sad though that so many people never get hugged .
Old people because they are alone , young people because they are not loved enough .
British people are not known for being physically affectionate when I married my latin American husband I found it charming how physically affectionate his family was .
We all need to be hugged .

I don't think I would like to be hugged by a total stranger either, Muddy,   but I suppose it could also perhaps depend on the circumstances?  And as you say,  it is very sad some people never have any affection shown to them.   
I used to work in Care,  and not everyone had family to visit and give them a hug.

I also agree about us loving our pets and how they  freely give us their company and affection  -  without moaning about missing the football!!   

[Scrumpy]

We (family) greet with a hug.. Nothing too clingy.. 
I'm not up for hugging strangers though.. 
My neighbour is Spanish.. my friend Italian.. Both are (huggers).
I have noticed that the welcome kiss on the cheek is returning .. after the covid .. don't touch me period..
I greet my friends with a kiss on the cheek..

[Alex]

I'm not a hugger either, but I do hug friends when we say goodbye after a meet up.  Who knows if we'll all meet up again? 😜

[Mups]

I'm not a hugger either, but I do hug friends when we say goodbye after a meet up.  Who knows if we'll all meet up again? 😜

Yes,  that's true.
I can't imagine me ever wanting to a professional hugger,  but it is very different hugging a friend or someone you care about,  that just seems natural to me.