Have we become a "huggy" society?

[LydiaJ]

<<<<<<<< I bet this thread title will will bring out some copy bugs! >>>>>> LOL!

But seriously, has anyone noticed the recent trend of people hugging mere acquaintances and sometimes outright strangers on morning news shows, daytime talk shows, reality tv programs, ect? Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with that, but it does seem to be an odd new phenomena. Especially when you consider that quite often these people don't even like each other (ie reality shows).
Maybe, for whatever reason, I'm just noticing it more? :shrug:

Speaking of apparent new norms, I just thought of another.... What's up with the word "crazy?" Has anyone else noticed that it seems to have joined the word "like" in the vernacular of people? But unlike "like" which seemed to mostly affect the younger crowd, people of all ages don't appear to be immune to this highly contagious verbal virus. It's crazy!

Or am I the only one who has noticed any of this? :crazy:

[HEyHEY]

1. I hate huggers

Unless you're a friend I ain't seen in a long time... get your fucking hands off me

[grasswire]

3. I'm of the same opinion

Perhaps it is a New England grandparents kind of thing to not be touchy-feely.

I honestly hate more than that the smiley faces of the newscasters. Talking about Iraq? Smile! Talking about NOLA or bankruptcies? Smile!

I hate that.

[LydiaJ]

7. LOL! Don't ever go to the Middle East then!

They are space-invaders of the worst kind.

But before anyone gets mad at that, let me say that it's a cultural thing and "the close talking" (as Seinfeild would say)is a sign of affection and esteem. Some people in our group felt uncomfortable at times but we all understood that we probably were doing annoying American things that we weren't aware of so, oh well... :shrug:

[HEyHEY]

8. Oddly that's my next destination!

I'm going with a group of people aimed at ending the hugging culture

[LydiaJ]

9. That's just CRAZY!!!

But best of luck to you :hug: :-)

[Akoto]

2. You're crazy. Now give me a hug!

[LydiaJ]

4. LOL

:hug: (I never said I was against it!) :hi:

[skygazer]

5. We've become an informal society

I think thats a better way to put it. Back when I was growing up, we called our friends parents "Mr. and Mrs.", my parents called their work superiors "Mr. or Mrs.", people were introduced that way.

Now its all first-name basis. My kids have never referred to my friends in a formal way.

People don't dress formally. Look at photos of people standing on bread lines during the Depression. The men all wear jackets and hats! When's the last time you saw a man in a jacket and hat?

So it's become informal in many ways. And I think the whole hugging thing is part of that. I'm not a hugger myself (New Englander) but I can see good points and bad points to all of it. :shrug:

[LydiaJ]

6. That's true...

I remember calling friend's parents Mr. and Mrs too... And remember addressing letters to Mr. Mrs or Miss? I'd write my couisin who was the same age and adress the envelope Miss Mary Clare D****. People rarely even write letters anymore!

You could be right! :-)