Free hugs

Originally Posted by Kamla

Dear Meera,

You are so right. We Indians are rather conservative where physicalities go. A slight nod or a namaste is all that most of us can muster while greeting someone. And if that someone is a stranger or a passer by, even that is hard to come by!

I was very young and just married and we were on our first vacation in Europe. There was this slightly older Canadian couple (as compared to us) who were holidaying at the same place and for some reason took a liking to us. I can to this day sense my embarrassment when this guy gave me a bear hug and a kiss on my face! I sought my hubby's eyes in desperation to be calmed by his indulging look...

It took some time for me to come to terms with this form of greeting. Ofcourse, today I am a far cry from that very innocent me....'cause, now I don't hesitate to give bear hugs myself...(provided I want to!!)..

But... when in Rome, do as the Romans do...is my advice. I also had the embarrassment of stretching my hand out for a shake in India and the gentleman gave me a 'namaste' instead. So, what do you do!

Hugs to you on making it to the FP of the month!

L, Kamla

Dear Kamlaji,


Thank you ji.And I am very thankful to Anandchitra ma'm for this.And feeling wonderful.

I had an office colleague many years back.He used to enter the office making such a noise and almost used to enter the room dancing . He had a broad smile lit up in his face and would go to every table in the room saying Good morning.He didnot have to but he did it. There was so much positive energy in it.Some even commented about it but he didnot mind.

Some little gestures,can really work wonders. I too could not muster my courage to give a hug to a stranger but I could imagine it would have felt good.And nothing wrong it provided you are comfortable,as you said.

True that westerners have some wonderful informal gestures .Even though our conservative culture finds hard to digest,but leaving everything aside,it feels nice.
My hubby's colleague gave me a good bear hug and I can never forget her gesture.

But back home, I would do as you say,in Rome be a Roman.I can imagine the embarrassment when you held out your hand for a friendly handshake and it was not reciprocated.

But I will surely try to make my smile a little more warmer and broader .I have to work on that,for myself,at least.

Thanks and Hugs to you too,

meera

Originally Posted by shaileelathe

HI
Munnabhai is indeed a nice movie and the Jaddu ki jhappi is miraculous...Even science says so. Giving and receiving Hugs, affectionate touches make us feel cared, valued and help to relieve stress. many a times we can show our love to people by just a simple bear hug rather than expressing it in words...

Hugging is a wonderful thing, I hug my friends when we meet but even I am apprehensive about hugging strangers.

>>hugs<<

Hello Shaileelathe,

Thank you for stepping in here.Yes,Munnabhai is a wonderful movie.It talks about the practical Touch Therapy prescribed in Science. Truly said by you,that it makes us feel wonderful.I hug my family and friends umpteen times,they love it but more than them I love it. It is great.

I too am wary of hugging strangers.But it is a wonderful gesture extend our hand or give a touch on their shoulder, or say a heartfelt Namaste.


Hugs to you,

meera

Hi Meera

Wonderful post and rightly said.

What is a greeting without a hug ? A hug conveys more meaning and depth than anything else . hug a person who is upset and see the difference it makes to them.

In our family hugging is common.. it is also accompanies by a loud HIIIIIIIIII/lovely to see you .. whatever..

I havent seen any Hugs for free in chennai yet . maybe the people here are still conservative???

Cheers

Bhooma

[quote=Bhooma;365145]Hi Meera

Wonderful post and rightly said.

What is a greeting without a hug ? A hug conveys more meaning and depth than anything else . hug a person who is upset and see the difference it makes to them.

In our family hugging is common.. it is also accompanies by a loud HIIIIIIIIII/lovely to see you .. whatever..

I havent seen any Hugs for free in chennai yet . maybe the people here are still conservative???

Cheers

Hi Bhooma,



Thank you for stepping in and for appreciating this.What is a greeting without a hug? True words by you,to cheer someone up nothing can replace a hug.

Chennai has caught up and doing better in many other areas now,so maybe a Free hug campaign is not very very far, isn't it?It is not only about Chennai ,but also many other places in the world. Not all have had there Free Hugs campaign,but they will have them sooner or later,we must hope.

But otherwise even a friendly handshake or a Namaste is good enough,so how many of us show that heartfelt gesture?,even in our family and friends circle, is what I am trying to say.


cheers and hugs,

meera

Free-hug man speaks out - Music - Entertainment - smh.com.au

Friends,

Adding one more link. Please read the text below the video.It was wonderful reading it.I am sure it conveys what Juan Mann the hugger had to say about his campaign.

Juan is our real life Munnabhai.

hugs

meera