Have you ever met one of those people who automatically hugs you? “I’m a hugger,” they say. Even if you’ve never met before, they’re embracing you in a bear hug immediately.
Of course you’ve met those people; you might even be one of those people.
And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But I’m here to argue the pros and cons of a hug.
Sure, a hug can be great. It’s certainly a Southern tradition. Hugs for every occasion.
There’s definitely a place for a good hug, too. When seeing a friend you haven’t seen in a long time, when greeting a significant other after a long day at work, when embracing a family member or loved one.
But hugs can also be challenging. When is the wrong time for a hug, you ask?
As a journalist, I always ask myself: Should I be hugging my sources? I ran into a public figure at lunch yesterday and we, of course, embraced for the hug. It wasn’t weird and it came naturally, but if someone sees me hug someone, does that make me look like a biased journalist? Can I hug someone and still give them a fair shake?
Of course I know I can. In reality, the fact that we can hug and still have hard conversations when necessary shows just how important community journalism really is.
Hugs can also be difficult in times of grief or pain.
When someone’s crying, the automatic feeling is to give them a hug.
But ask yourself this: The last time you got a hug while feeling sad, did you cry harder or did it truly make you feel better? Because I know for me, when I’m upset, a hug only delves me further into tears.
I actually used to not be a “hugger.” I was very into my personal space and, as a Northerner, we were taught to keep our distance. I didn’t hug everyone I saw.
But I’m a Southerner now, and things have changed. I would definitely consider myself a hugger now. It comes naturally when everyone is so friendly, that’s for sure.
And that’s not going to change. But it is something to consider that not everyone’s a hugger. In fact, too much hugging can make people uncomfortable.
But when National Hug A Journalist Day comes around, get ready because I’m coming in for the teddy bear embrace.
Lizi Arbogast Gwin is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. She can be reached at 434-962-9420 or via email at lizi.gwin@alexcityoutlook.com.
