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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