When is it appropriate to hug someone?

Who would you hug? How much would you have to care about them to hug them? Is hugging a sign of love and affection?

Parents Reply Children
  • There's a whole sub-thread possible about how social-touching 'rules' enforced on children "Give Aunty/Uncle Jo a kiss..." teaches them that they don't have agency over their own bodies and is probably part of the reason that people (women particularly) feel they have to 'allow' a certain level of unwanted touching.

    Another reason why the world would be a lot better if we really were all "...a bit autistic..." - there'd be clear rules and the default would be 'no touching'...

    It's amazing how offended/upset friends were when (post diagnosis) I started telling them I'd prefer not to hug/kiss on arrival/departure etc.