Just another day in the OFF Paradise…gimme a hug…no don’t …aye do…oh it’s all so confusing 
…is this the long goodbye for some Folks? 
I give up, I really do.
Another one taking what I said out of all context.
Not only am I now considered some sort of weirdo if I hug a friend, I am also contributing to the Pandemic!
Unbelievable.
What miserable, twisted souls you meet on here.
For heaven’s sake don’t come near me incase I leap out and hug you May.
Someone trying to earn a buck or two might photograph me and get me arrested, or I might give you the dreaded virus.
Better I just wave to you from afar. 
Right back at You Kiddo 
Thank God you know what I mean and doesn’t think I am a perv!
Thank you Mort.
Luvs ya. :hug: (Oh dear- I’ve done it again).
Thanks to all those who understood, much appreciated. x
I am proud I haven’t got the sort of mind as those who see a touch of reassurance or affection as sick and pervy and should be an arrestable offence.
The way some people think turns my stomach.
I’m out of this thoroughly nasty thread now.
I have witnessed hugging and kissing at work. I’ve given and accepted hugs. It’s usually if someone is leaving or their birthday if you are close friends. It’s not pervy.
It is a bit invasive to reach and touch a woman (or man) from behind on both shoulders. One shoulder is acceptable and this happens in meetings.
Back in the 80s/90s it was definitely considered normal for men to touch women eg the back of the waist when guiding a woman through a door, or an arm touch. I even had a guy tickle my neck from behind when at my desk and say hello darling. At college guys would pinch your bum. Times have changed but some men behave the same as then.
Trump took Teresa Mays hand when they met. The UK found that a bit shocking at the time. Differences in culture and behaviour abound. The US has a more paternalistic chauvinistic culture than we do these days.
What is interesting is that when Trump was asked to comment on Biden’s sexual assault allegation he said it could be a false accusation. Compared it with his own experiences.
It’s important to show affection. Sad that people think otherwise, seeing something sinister in an innocent gesture.
The Beckhams got slated after a photograph was shown of David kissing his daughter on the lips.
Like any emotion - but not on this forum unless you’re part of the right clique.
Attitudes to emotional displays change with the times just like other things in modern society such as language.
Some of what was acceptable even a short time ago is no longer deemed so.
Sadly it can be sexist too as your later Beckham example shows; generally a male has to be extremely careful nowadays demonstrating many emotions towards females and age plays a part in the interpretation of what is acceptable too.
I happen to agree that it has reached a very sad state of affairs when you have to think (at least) twice before showing emotion such as hugging.
From a male perspective IMHO we have to be doubly aware of potential pitfalls and I think that often females might not understand how much difference there is.
Perhaps that is why those so vehemently against my post just happen also to be female?
Interesting data coming from these elections where counting is still taking place.
Arizona (already much of the media have called it a Biden win) has seen Biden’s lead narrow from just under 15k on Monday to just over 12k at the latest count with around 46k votes still to count.
Georgia has started a hand recount because the result was so close.
And there are a few more where the vote is very, very close - as in under 1%, like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Will it make any difference to the outcome?
We have to wait and see.
Blimey! This hug/no hug lark is even more boring than the election.
I’m more than happy to receive a hug from Mups and anyone else on here, plus if anyone wants a double entendre, I’m happy to give them one.
Why is it so difficult for those who dislike hugging to say “Sorry, I don’t like hugging!” ?
I am sorry but I have little respect for women who are sexually abused, yet don’t mention it to anybody until the man concerned has become more famous or wealthy!
Could it be that they were willing at the time?
[quote=“Zaphod, post: 1990532”]
Then I politely suggest that you heed your own words.
Such evident hypocrisy with a continuation of nastiness when I requested: “Now personally I’m quite happy to see an end to this ridiculous ping-pong of allegations and an end to the nastiness.”.
If you didn’t want ping-pong why post, because if you think I’m going to let others like you here gang up on me just because you disagree with my opinion (despite your admission that we are all entitled) and allow hypocrisy to go unchallenged you are mistaken.
Now please.
Finis.
[quote/]
I managed to make a mess of that quote so I’ll bin my reply. Can’t be bothered anyway with thin skinned victim types who resort to ‘woe me’ and rudeness when their views are challenged.
Why on earth would you think that?
I am fortunate in having two granddaughters thank you very much who - until this darned virus - I am able to see and shower with affection on a regular basis.
As to the legal standpoint, that was part of my job for many years so I have lived through some of the changes regarding acceptable behaviour.
At one time for example I could have finished with “my dear” without being accused of condescension.
As a man though I generally have to be far more aware of public displays of affection than you women seem to be.
A woman of almost any age hugging a pre-teen girl for example is seen as motherly.
A man doing the same most certainly isn’t, almost universally.
Note I’m talking of “in public” - not in the privacy of family or close friends.
Some differences might be good but others are not; they are unfair.
But that’s society for you.
ETA:
Too late binning your reply, I was answering.
A hug and a kiss from a Lass at a works do would lead a young man to think it was his Birthday.
A piece from The Conservative Woman which I am reasonably sure that some here won’t like, and it starts with this:
“WOW, do people have short memories. Now that the Democrats have ‘won’ the 2020 election, ‘it is time for unity’. Funny that, because I remember after the 2016 election when the Republicans won, it was a time for Resistance.”
You certainly find out who really appreciates your work!
Ah, good, glad you replied … I binned it because I got in a mess with it and it seemed nonsensical but you seem to have got the gist.
I see now where you’re coming from. Your view, quite understandably, is based on a guy’s viewpoint. A wary guy.
But just because guys feel they have to be more aware it doesn’t necessarily follow that they should catechize anyone who is still more demonstrative, male or female.
A woman could reasonably claim the same though, especially where children are concerned, as she might well be mistaken for procuring kids for other people’s perverted uses.
Yes, society has certainly changed.
Have to admit that I’ve never really been into hugging anyone other than close friends.
I prefer to rub my crotch and lick my lips while staring at the recipient’s breasts. No claims of physical abuse or inappropriate contact can ever be made by adopting this policy.
I really do not know how valid this is, it came from a Republican friend of mine in an email today. For all I know it could be a bucketful of bovine excreta but, it does make interesting reading and even more interesting possibilities! The “fat lady ain’t singing yet!”