Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site steinmetz.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!prls!amdimage!amdcad!decwrl!decvax!mcnc!ncsu!uvacs!edison!steinmetz!stern From: stern@steinmetz.UUCP (Harold A. Stern) Newsgroups: net.singles Subject: Re: Can friendship go to HUGGING? Message-ID: <229@steinmetz.UUCP> Date: Tue, 6-Aug-85 14:10:52 EDT Article-I.D.: steinmet.229 Posted: Tue Aug 6 14:10:52 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 11-Aug-85 04:10:22 EDT References: <406@mit-vax.UUCP> Organization: GE CRD, Schenectady, NY Lines: 34 > Hugs, hug parties, propriety of hugs, relationship between hugs and > dirty deeds, asking before giving hugs, gaaa. > In my long and spectacularly boring life, hugs are a reward, sometimes > for things you're born (being her nephew), sometimes for where you > are (next to him when good news arrives), but more often and more > consistently for what you do: ....... > Live a life that includes good times with others, and you don't need > to manufacture reasons. > Oded Feingold {decvax, harvard}!mitvax!oaf Dear Oded, In my relatively short (but not particularly boring) life, my friends and I do not need to "manufacture reasons" for hugs. Then again, we don't reserve them for "rewards" or special occasions, either. Hugs and kisses are wonderful ways of saying hello, not only to close friends, but new acquaintances also. It's amazing how much easier it is to talk to a MOTAS (is that the correct abbreviation?), and how much less tension exists, after you have been introduced to that person with a hug. There is no relationship between that hug and any implication of "dirty deeds"; I will greet my friends' SO's that way, and expect them to be as open and friendly with mine. Of course, there is nothing better than a hug between two close friends, of the same or opposite sex. Hugs can say "I miss you", or "Thanx for being there", or "I need a shoulder to cry on", or whatever - then again, who needs a reason? It's nice to hug someone just for the warmness that results. Try it some time harold a. stern stern%teela@mit-athena 410 memorial drive cambridge, ma 02139 (617) 225-8304, 253-1541