My clients hug me....is that strange?

[Th1onein]

And, no, I'm not in "that" kind of profession. I work for newspapers. I guess after a long time of working with the same people, they start to hug you when they see you? It really doesn't bother me at all; I LIKE hugs and I adore the people that I work with, year after year. But is that weird?

[LaurenG]

1. In a more perfect world that would be normal.

Hugs are really good things.

[StClone]

2. That a good thing

Some people try really hard to get to that. See the Video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

:hug:

[Th1onein]

4. That's what I told my friend.

If they feel comfortable hugging me and I feel comfortable getting hugged, then what's wrong with that? It doesn't matter that this is a business relationship; these people are my FRIENDS, too.

[CarbonDate]

3. I'm military....

...so I would tend to view it as grossly inappropriate. Not that there's anything inherently wrong with hugging, but I tend to prefer to maintain firm professional boundaries.

[teryang]

9. It's inappropriate in the workplace and can get you sued

...I know a lawyer who has built on empire on these lawsuits. Carelessness in the workplace is fine until someone gets fired or gets fired up.

[B Calm]

5. We have a hot looking girl at work and we like to give her hugs too.

but then we're just a bunch of dirty minded old truck drivers, hee hee..

[koopie57]

6. this post caught my eye

cuz I don't like anyone touching me. Even those who I love dearly. I never shy away when I know they will hug me cuz I don't want to hurt their feelings. But, if you find peace in it and they find peace in it, don't even worry about it being wierd or not. If it is wierd, so what? Enjoy the gift you have been given.

[Lerkfish]

7. when I lived in NYC for a short time, strangers would kiss me on the cheek

when I met them for the first time.....what was up with that? I'm a man and these were women (the men didn't do this) It seemed to be a new york thing, which was doubly odd since I was expecting cold distance.
They'd half-hug you and plant one on your cheek. The first time it happened, I thought it was only just that person. Then it kept happening.

Don't get me wrong, I love hugs and kisses, but usually from someone I know. I found it a bit awkward, as did my wife, especially since they'd do that, and then never show any other sign of connection or communication beyond the surface.

[LaReservaPr]

10. Could be some latin influence.

In some parts of Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain a lot of people greet each other with a kiss on the cheek. Its not a big deal to us but i can understand how others may be put off by it.

[Lerkfish]

12. well, could be but most of these people were white anglos.

a lot of them were connected to the recording industry (?) maybe that's become a cultural thing in those circles. (?)


at any rate, I didn't want to give the impression I was offended, it just surprised me more than anything else. And it was awkward at first because my wife was standing right there and there's this little monkey inside your head that worries how that looks to her for a second or two.

[Arkansas Granny]

8. I work in a small, informal office setting. It's not unusual for me

to receive hugs from co-workers, former employees, clients and even salesmen who call on us. We have known each other and worked together for years, in most cases, and it's just a warm greeting between friends. I don't find it strange at all.

[WinkyDink]

11. It would give me the willies.

[notadmblnd]

13. You're probably the kind of person that draws people to you in that manner.

My husband was one of those people. Strangers off the street would just walk up to him and start pouring their problems out to him. I never went anywhere with him that he wasn't stopped and hugged by someone (it never would have benefited for me to play the jealous wife role). Is it a gift or a curse? I don't know. I admired him for it in many ways. In other ways it was a pain in the butt (people always throwing you off schedule). My husbands profession? He was a simple shop rat. I often told him he missed his calling.

[pdxmom]

14. I'm one of those that doesn't like to be hugged or touched or even

to have my personal space intruded on. I work in the law office of a sole practitioner, and we have clients who want to hug us when we get a good result. I understand it, I tolerate it happening, but after the client leaves, my boss sits there laughing at me, because she knows how uncomfortable it makes me. Heck, even SHE knows better than to try to hug me.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

15. I run a vacation resort and we get a lot of repeat customers yearly.

Since we've had this business for twelve years, these people have become somewhat an extended family; we've watched their kids grow up, they've watched our kids grow up. So there are lots of hugs and it is natural.

HOWEVER...from time to time people come through the front door, immediately give a big hug, and as they are hugging they say, "Oh, I'm so glad to be here. Wasn't sure if I was going to come at the last minute because I have this AWFUL FLU."

I keep Airborne and a large jug of hand sanitizer close by. :) (And get my flu shots early in the season...)