Some people are huggers, some are not.

Not a subject people both familiar and not, I grew up with ever talked about. Relatives greeted kids so. Maybe we kids didn't notice what adults were doing because why would that matter? Youth cultures didn't greet beyond using hand and arm touching. Ex-lovers? ... whatever, that's their business.

But the whole hug thing goes deeper because we are really discussing body touching between people and especially between the two genders.

As a matter of being friendly with single women acquaintances, I like when they want by their own choice to smile with friendly eyes, moving nearer to my head, close enough to even hold my hand or upon greeting me do so with a hug that shows they are comfortable being around and hanging out at that trusting level. As a small thin peaceful male, I'm by nature somewhat less naturally concerning to new acquaintance women hanging out around me, that maybe choose to get closer to me, without having to worry about some unintended social emotional reaction.

Likewise, walking urban streets, crossing paths with the many dog walkers, most dogs at first glance must categorize small thin me as maybe just a non-threatening huggable kid. But then close up dog think I'm maybe an old frail man haha, so yeah all those friendly dogs love and want to hug mr dave to. Well, at least join him in a friendly puppy style sleeping pile.
 
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I came from a family who showed little affection. You knew you were loved but they had a strange way of showing it. (Their upbringings were probably the same way. We tend to repeat what we're familiar with) I've never been good with physical interactions like hugging unless it was in an intimate relationship with a male. Now when it comes to animals, I can hug them until the cows come home. I love animals.
 
Yeah, I am a hugger. Hugging me is okay, too. As long as you are respectful. Do not hug me and grab my body parts. :) Not that anyone does that these days.

Dogs and cats seem to like me. They follow me around, which I like. They both like to be hugged, thank heavens. Nothing better than a 140 lb dog piling onto one's lap for cuddles. Little ones do, too. I just prefer big dogs, especially fluffy ones. Everything under 100 lbs is a "little guy or little girl".
 
I was so much more selective on who when I was younger, even with not immediate family members.
It's nice when you don't know someone well if they ask before they reach out to hug. Once I know
they are huggers, it's pretty automatic especially saying goodbyes. I have asked someone "Do you mind if I give you a hug?"
No one has said no yet.
 
I've had loving and caring parents, but they didn't like hugging, not even with me or near relatives.

Two decades ago I have changed my mind and hug if somebody is nearing me for a hug or I just know that the other one is a hugger.

Btw. I have French relatives and the kisses left and right of the cheeks were the horror as I was a child and a young man. I just refused to do it. This has also changed much later.
 
I’m a tactile person. I love to hug and touch and pat. Ron’s the same way. My kids are huggers too, and a hug is the way we greet each other and say bye.

Most of my friends are huggers as well, though there are a couple who don’t care for it, and I’m careful not to make them uncomfortable.

As a general statement I prefer a hug to a handshake.
 
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I didn't grow up in a family that was physically demonstrative that way, so it was uncomfortable for me. I finally got past that, and I'm okay with it now, if I know the other person is, but I don't usually initiate.
 
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