Would you hugs someone in church the first time you meet them?
@gaylesglimpses (164)
United States
November 10, 2008 8:03pm CST
I'm invited to often speak at churches. It surprises me how often someone will come up and say something like "Shaking hands is fine but I'm a hugging person." I've seen this happen many times at churches where I'm not speaking. It doesn't seem to be just because of my position for the moment. So I'm curious, how do you feel about that? Would you want to hug someone you've never met? What is your reaction?
2 people like this
3 responses
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
11 Nov 08
I'm having trouble with this! What has the Church got to do with hugging someone you have just met? If it was on the street outside the Church would it be different?
Is it a Sin to have physical contact with a stranger in a Church? What kind of sin is it and why? Where in the Holy Scriptures can I find reference to this? Does a Gender difference alter the situation? What if its a person of the same Gender? Whats the difference in hugging the person or hugging his/her hand (as in hand shaking?)
@gaylesglimpses (164)
• United States
11 Nov 08
Some people just seem to prefer to hug instead of shaking hands. This is something I definitely notice more in church. No one has ever walked up to me in the food pantry or on my job in other capacities and said "I prefer to hug instead of shaking your hand." I'm just trying to get a handle on it without hurting feelings.
1 person likes this
@gaylesglimpses (164)
• United States
12 Nov 08
It is a problem for me. I have asthma. When people hug me who wear either cologne or perfume the scent gets on my clothes. This makes it hard for me to breathe. Twice, I've almost not made it home. It's a safeguard for me to shake someone's hand. But, this is a lot to explain to people. I don't want to hurt feelings or have an asthma attack on the way home. Does this make things clearer?
1 person likes this
@kdhartford (1151)
• United States
11 Nov 08
I'm really not the hugging kind. I would rather shake hands. I just politely decline the hug and say "perhaps next time."
@rmuxagirl (7548)
• United States
14 May 09
I hug everyone that comes through the doors at my church. I want people to feel welcomed as if they have been coming to the church for years. It isn't like a bug long hug just like shoulder tap and thats it.
