I am not a keen Hugger - Am I normal?
While traveling in Europe recently, I stumbled upon an article about ‘Hugging’. I was happy to learn that I am not the only one that is bothered with this form of greeting that does not seem to respect any rules about personal space. I come from central Uganda and hugging is generally not part of the greeting etiquette. A firm handshake between men and ‘some members of different sex’ was (or is) good enough. I use some members, because in some situations it is not acceptable for a woman to shake hands with a man. In our culture you cannot shake hands with your father/mother in-law. As a young man growing up, I do not remember a lot of hugging going around our village although, yes, it was occasionally done (especially on seeing a long lost friend or relative). Even then no body would frown upon completing the greeting without one. For me this is very much acceptable. I would probably be even happier in Japan where a bow is all that is required to say hello. I am extremely ...