Buzz
Hugging a girl can bring you joy but also a bit of anxiety. If you're like most people, you might feel nervous about behaving appropriately to show her you care without making her feel awkward or scared. A hug is a natural and affectionate gesture, but it can also be intrusive and uncomfortable if not done right. While much depends on the individuals involved, knowing how to hug properly can leave a lasting positive impression.
Steps
Hug the girl you like
Choose the right moment. The timing of your hug is as crucial as the way you do it, so choose wisely. Three ideal moments are:
- When you first meet her. Greeting a friend with a friendly hug is a sweet gesture (even if you hope for more than friendship).
- During emotional moments. Whether it's when your favorite team wins or she's had a rough day, a hug shows you're there for her.
- When saying goodbye. Similar to a greeting hug, a farewell hug is a warm and endearing gesture.
Determine if she enjoys being hugged. Girls often express their comfort with physical touch through body language. By observing how she stands or greets you, you can gauge whether she’s open to receiving a hug from you.
- Signs she’s comfortable with hugging:
- She maintains eye contact.
- She plays with her hair when near you.
- Her hips and feet are pointed toward you.
- Her voice is clear and lively during conversation.
- Signs she’s uncomfortable with hugging:
- She avoids eye contact.
- Her body language is closed off (crossed legs, folded arms, body turned away).
- She speaks in a monotone voice.
Approach her subtly. Avoid rushing in for a quick hug. Instead, take a deep breath and move toward her at a moderate pace, giving her time to decide if she wants to accept your hug. Maintain eye contact, step closer, and then raise your arms to embrace her.
- If you misread her signals and she doesn’t want a hug, give her a moment to step back before you get too close. Otherwise, she may feel pressured, creating an awkward situation for both of you.
- Moving slowly adds a romantic touch. If she’s open to a hug, a gentle and thoughtful approach will feel more meaningful.
Decide how long the hug should last. The duration of the hug reflects its significance. Here’s a basic guideline:
- Longer hugs are more emotional. Hugs lasting more than a few seconds are typically reserved for close friends or loved ones.
- Short hugs are usually casual. A "hello" or "goodbye" hug should only last 1 or 2 seconds.
End the hug. Return to your original position with a decisive step. Typically, you’ll want to stop before she does. Ending the hug a few seconds earlier than expected prevents it from becoming awkward.
- If she starts to pull away or you feel her arms loosening, it’s best to stop hugging. The exception is during emotional moments (e.g., she’s upset and crying or you’ve just kissed her), where you can slowly release and step back.
End the hug sweetly. How you conclude the hug depends on the situation. If you really like her, the moment you stop hugging is an opportunity to do something memorable. Try these scenarios:
- For a greeting or farewell hug, say something like, "I’m so glad to see you!" or "See you later!"
- For a congratulatory hug, often used to celebrate achievements, weddings, or other milestones, a simple "Congratulations!" works well.
- For a comforting hug, tailor your words to the situation. Phrases like "Everything will be okay" or "I’m here for you" are appropriate.
- For a friendly hug, say anything that makes the moment special. Comments like "You’re awesome" or "We did great in that game, right?" fit perfectly.
- For a more romantic hug, choose your words carefully. Make every word count!
Understand the meaning behind different types of hugs. If you’re feeling unsure, learn about the differences between various hug styles and determine which one suits your situation best:
- Dance-style hug: Her arms will wrap around your neck, and your hands will rest below hers. You can place your hands around her waist or upper back. The lower your hands are on her back, the more romantic the hug becomes. This is an intimate hug – so think carefully before using it.
- Bear hug: Her arms will go under yours, and your arms will wrap around her back while hers rest around your waist. This is a friendly hug that allows her to lean into you and rest her head on your chest.
- One-armed hug: This is the least romantic type of hug, often used among friends. For this, approach from the side (rather than head-on) and wrap one arm around her shoulder or neck in a casual, friendly manner.
- T-Rex hug: Both your arms and hers will rest around each other’s waists and lower backs, allowing you to rest your heads on each other’s shoulders. This is a friendly, non-romantic hug.
- Crossed-arm hug: Both of you will have one arm up and one arm down, forming an "X" shape. This hug is ideal for a "pull back and kiss" moment, as the arm placement creates enough space for a kiss.
- Hug from behind: This is for a girl you share a close relationship with and who enjoys surprises, but make sure she knows it’s you approaching. This hug is very affectionate and can easily lead to more romantic gestures.
Hugging Friends
Follow your instincts. While handshakes are traditionally the norm for first meetings, people today often don’t hesitate to hug when meeting someone new.
- This is more common among groups of friends than when one friend introduces you to another.
- Trust your instincts, but remember the golden rule: if you’re offered a hug, don’t refuse it.
Physical contact. Physical touch during a hug should be brief and subtle. Holding on too long can be misinterpreted as romantic interest.
- Lean in slightly and bend from the waist. This avoids full-body contact, which is reserved for more intimate and personal hugs.
- Wrap one arm around her arm and place your hand between her shoulder blades.
- Use your other arm to hug her, placing it below your first arm.
Hug quickly and stop immediately. Two seconds is the ideal duration for a friendly hug. End the hug right after this time and continue the conversation as usual.
Advice
- Observe her body language. If she’s open to a hug, her arms will be relaxed and ready. If her arms are crossed, it’s best not to try.
- Avoid hugging her too tightly. She’s not a stuffed toy, so don’t squeeze her. Hug her firmly but comfortably, allowing her to move freely.
- Keep yourself clean. Unless you’ve just finished a game or intense physical activity, bad odors will ruin the impression of your hug.
- If she approaches from behind, wraps her arms around your neck, and rests her head on your shoulder, it means she’s comfortable with you and showing affection. If you’re comfortable too, lean your head back against hers and chat.
- If you make a mistake, correct it and don’t dwell on it. Use humor to ease any awkwardness.
- If you’re close, she might enjoy being lifted and spun during the hug. However, be cautious, as some girls dislike this and may find it uncomfortable!
- When she’s feeling down, comfort her with a hug. Place one hand near her shoulder and the other above her waist.
Warnings
- Be mindful of where you place your hands during the hug to avoid accidental inappropriate touching.
- Don’t hug too tightly or rush into the hug abruptly.
- If she doesn’t want a hug, stop immediately. A forced hug is extremely uncomfortable.
- If it’s just a casual friendly hug, don’t let it last longer than 3 seconds.
