A Social Experiment: Free Hug!

[illas]

Me and a friend did it outside a pub in Knightsbridge (London) last December because of a bet.
We were wearing "Free Hugs" t-shirts, and we were hugged within a minute. After 30 minutes we stopped largely due to the cold, but also because hugging random people gets quite tiring.

Then again, we're both pretty, so perhaps that played a part

I'd say "go for it", because it *was* a fun evening. However, I think it worked for us because I'm male and she's female. Two men, or two women offering free hugs might seem a bit lecherous. The balance of genders made people a lot less intimidated, IMO.

 

[TraderJimmy]

I like the idea of free hugs for two reasons;
One is I like hugs in general, from friends to married couples to complete strangers, more or less everyone likes a hug.

And two because I'm a friendly person like that who would gladly go out and hug random strangers if I knew I wouldn't get thrown in a police cell for it.....

Which brings me to the main point of this thread.
A social experiment in my home city of Aberdeen in North East Scotland. Going out into the street with a big sign saying "FREE HUGS" and seeing how long it takes before I get arrested people accepting hugs from me.

I've seen this kind of thing happen in America where I can imagine it would be alot more socially acceptable. But I have never heard of anything like it in the UK.

So what do you think? Bad idea? Good idea? Or will I end up with no wallet and 6 hours in a cell by the end of the day?
And also, would you hug a complete stranger holding a sign that said "FREE HUGS"?

Um, this honestly isn't a stereotyping of Scotland, I think the same would apply in London or Sheffield or wherever, but:

I hope you like the sweet sour smell of the alcoholic, because that's who's gonna be hugging you.

EDIT: Well colour me cynical, apparently people have tried the experiment in London already. I take it all back.

 

[TimeLord]

Only if its a female.

AHA! I was waiting for someone to bring up this point!

Why only if it was a female? Why would you not hug a guy?

 

[D Moness]

Go for it. Just don't hug any kids. I can see that being seen the wrong way if a grown man with a "Free hugs" sign has his arms around a child...

And that is just silly.
Why kids are seen as sexual objects and the person making contact with them must be doing it for sexual thrills is incredibly stupid.

Some kids would love a hug and find it funny just as the guy with the sign would, but then there are other kids that would call you gay and or stab you.

It is not the kids that see it as wrong but more the parents or other adults that just see it.
Last con i was at people were sticking free hugs stickers on people. I politely told them not on me, i do not like people i know hugging me let alone total strangers.

 

[WrongSprite]

My mates did it in Worcester. The hug-o-meter on his back reached great heights, it's very popular.

 

[DarkKnightBob]

Hugging requires a 6 month CRB check with added bullshit

 

[Folio]

I need trust for hugs. I'd never hug a stranger. I don't know what they'll do. Maybe the hugs weren't 'free' after al. >_>

 

[Gaz6231]

Go for it pal, Aberdeen needs some light entertainment! As long as you don't drink Special Brew while you're doing it I reckon you should be alright

 

[sharpe95th]

Don't be weird, we're British not over friendly Americans.

 

[EmzOLV]

They do this loads at festivals. I've seen everything from free hugs, to free kisses, to free booty calls, to the happy mob, the angry mob, the clean mob, the dirty mob...

Free hugs are great. Just don't harrass someone into making them give you a hug because that's all spells of trouble.

I think this would be quite a good laugh!

 

[Dana22]

Only if its a female.

AHA! I was waiting for someone to bring up this point!

Why only if it was a female? Why would you not hug a guy?

Not that I wouldnt, but I would hesitate if some strage guy offered one

 

[Binerexis]

You could give it a try but I can assure you that you're likely to be tackled to the ground a few times. Also, I've always seen people who walk around with 'Free Hugs' signs as people who are just desperate for some kind of human contact in their sad, sad lives and I know I'm not the only one who thinks that way. I'm not saying that's why you're doing it, I'm just saying you shouldn't be surprised if no one comes within ten feet of you.

 

[Mechsoap]

would be kinda nice, so long it isn't like, homeless people or people without pants.

 

[Numachuka]

I like the idea of free hugs for two reasons;
One is I like hugs in general, from friends to married couples to complete strangers, more or less everyone likes a hug.

And two because I'm a friendly person like that who would gladly go out and hug random strangers if I knew I wouldn't get thrown in a police cell for it.....

Which brings me to the main point of this thread.
A social experiment in my home city of Aberdeen in North East Scotland. Going out into the street with a big sign saying "FREE HUGS" and seeing how long it takes before I get arrested people accepting hugs from me.

I've seen this kind of thing happen in America where I can imagine it would be alot more socially acceptable. But I have never heard of anything like it in the UK.

So what do you think? Bad idea? Good idea? Or will I end up with no wallet and 6 hours in a cell by the end of the day?
And also, would you hug a complete stranger holding a sign that said "FREE HUGS"?

Looks similar to an oatmeal comic

Spoiler: Big ol' picture

OT: I'd assume that in Scotland you will get beaten up. But then that's just my English prejudice.

 

[Not-here-anymore]

Hugging requires a 6 month CRB check with added bullshit

Added bullshit? But that takes so much longer! Soon you'll need an enhanced CRB check with bonus added bullshit, and then no-one will ever get a hug, ever again...

If I were in Aberdeen, I'd hug you. But I'm somewhat more southern, so I can't. There's a lot of hugging in my life - it's fun!

 

[C95J]

Although it is a fun idea, most people in the UK would probably ignore you anyway, knowing what some are like...

 

[archvile93]

I'm betting on the latter. I'm very cynical that way. And don't hug the angry looking ones, they might punch you.

 

[El Poncho]

A lot of teenagers hug in my school, I'm not one to give out hugs but I'll accept one if offered I guess.

I'm sure they will be more willing to hug sheep though, Aberdeen and all

/joke which had to be made.

 

[superbatranger]

I say go for it. I mean, who doesn't love free hugs? They're hugs! That are free!

 

[the_pleasure_is_mine]

At Sonisphere I was giving out free hugs. I easily hugged around 400 people over that weekend.

Good times...