Interesting topic.. I'm not aversive to hugs... I'm just a bit thick when it comes to them and prefer when the other person makes the move as a cue of 'oh they need a hug now'... I get very confused with boundaries and personal space so yeah, general rule I let others take the lead as it confuses the crap out of me... unless they are obviously drunk and trying to cop a feel, which as a bloke advancing in years hasn't happened for a while... *cough* (wife reminisces with bemusement on me panicking and telling her as soon as possible as I'm scatty and don't read obvious signs )

As for virtual hugs, I like the sentiment... the differentiation between 'thanks' and 'hug'... been mentioned above about 'body language' being null and void in the text format... but emoticons do serve a purpose in breaking that barrier down.

Clearly a hug on here is not real... but it gives that (to me) feeling that someone has read and cared, even if they were unable to contribute to the thread itself.

Just my take.

We all have our own idiosyncrasies and if that function is uncomfortable for you to use, don't use it... there are many members here who contribute with amazing supportive insight and barely if ever click 'thanks' or 'hugs'