How to Hug a Stranger

If you'd rather hug than handshake a person you've just met, you're in for a bit of a challenge. Americans generally keep their personal space sacred. Before you can get someone new to hug you, it needs to appear as if a hugging a stranger is the most natural thing in the world. If you don't make a big deal of it, your new acquaintance won't either.

Instructions

1. Hug everyone you do know as a way of greeting them and saying goodbye. When you meet a new person, it won't seem so off-kilter to her if she's already seen you hugging everyone else. It's when someone makes a hug exclusive that things become weird.

2. Be a sincere, warm and caring person. A hug is a gesture of warmth and sincerity. If your goal is to hug strangers and your attitude doesn't line up, chances are you won't have much success. People can sense your sincerity, so give from the heart.

3. Stand in the middle of the busiest walkway you can find and ask for hugs. Many people will actually give heartfelt hugs to absolute strangers. Smile broadly as you ask and open your arms wide. It might take a long time standing there before people start to react.

4. Make your hug genuine and individual. Open yourself up to what can happen as you love others freely.

Tips & Warnings

• Carry a sign with you that says what you're doing. A sign proclaiming "Free Hugs" or "Need a Hug?" eliminates the need to talk constantly.

• Offering hugs to strangers can cause all sorts of reactions. Be ready to deal with people laughing, scoffing or even crying. Some people may dodge you or even cross the street. That's ok; it's better to not hug those people anyway.

• Don't hold any stranger for longer than he's willing to be held. Some people will just hug and pat you; others will really want a long embrace.