[googley]

I dislike the hug counter feature. I think it makes it more like a competition, or who is better? Who can give the most hugs? I like the hug buttons, but don't like the counter. I know other people feel the same way. I was wondering if this could be removed. I know we can look at our "thanks" in the statistics section, maybe we can just have the 'hugs' listed there too instead of right on a person's ID label?

[DocJohn]

Yes.... since it's better to give than to receive!

[venusss]

Originally Posted by googley

I dislike the hug counter feature. I think it makes it more like a competition, or who is better? Who can give the most hugs? I like the hug buttons, but don't like the counter. I know other people feel the same way. I was wondering if this could be removed. I know we can look at our "thanks" in the statistics section, maybe we can just have the 'hugs' listed there too instead of right on a person's ID label?

I don't see the reason to have two buttons it simmilar function.

Plus, I feel many will just click on the hugs button instead of writting a (thoughtful) reply to threads with this function.

And yeah, I agree... the badges are bit weird. I just fear it will make those of us who don't use it as cold-hearted *****es.

[DocJohn]

While I understand change is hard, at this time we're going to stay with the hug button counter on people's profiles. I appreciate (and knew) that some members aren't going to much like it.

But giving or getting hugs -- like giving or getting thanks -- is not nor has it ever been a competition. If some people choose to view it that way, that's a real shame, as it completely misses the point.

It's about sharing our generosity and selfless care with others. The badge is there to reinforce this positive behavior.

Best,
DocJohn

[Sabrina]

So why if My hug count is four does my hug icon only show one?

[DocJohn]

According to the "Statistics" tab on your member profile page, the number of hugs you've given to others is 1, which is displayed on your badge.

Best,
DocJohn

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by Sabrina

So why if My hug count is four does my hug icon only show one?

Did you recieve 4 hugs or give out 4?? The hug badge registers hugs you've given to others, not how many you've recieved from other members. If you have given out 4 and it only shows one..try refreshing the page or signing out then in again. Try giving me a hug and see if it goes to 2. If a person's not into giving hugs there won't be a counter under your avatar.

Originally Posted by Sabrina

So why if My hug count is four does my hug icon only show one?

The badge only shows how many hugs you give not the hugs you receive

[sunrise]

I don't mind the hugs button would prefer not to have the hugs counter badge. Is there a way we can make that optional? I looked in the profile options area, but couldn't find a way to remove the badge. Like for "My mood", you don't have to display that on your posts if you don't select it. Would be nice to have the counter optional to accommodate those who like to display their hugginess and those who prefer their forum behavior to not be so readily accessible. Like, if we must keep tabs, the more private among us could choose to have it displayed in our statistics, but not on our posts as a badge.

Originally Posted by DocJohn

It's about sharing our generosity and selfless care with others. The badge is there to reinforce this positive behavior.

Not that I want a "thanks" counter badge, but I wonder why there is a counter badge for hugs and not thanks? The idea is to positively reinforce hugging behavior but not grateful behavior?

I'm sure I'll get used to the changes, but just suggesting some ideas for how to make the site even better. Choice is always a good thing, IMO, and I appreciate being given the choice to display my mood and also the opportunity to post my opinion here. Thank you!

I too love the hugs button, but not so much the hug counter as a badge (because of the potential competitiveness mentioned, which could lead to 'hugs' becoming seen as insincere... and... because it doesn't match the style or size of the other badges, which bothers me more than it should. That's probably just my issue! I can live with it!) I think I too would prefer the option for numbers of hugs to be displayed only on the profile page.

[Alcinus_of_chell]

I too love the hugs button, but not the hug counter as a badge

Me too.
I would agree with VenusHalley, that people who don't or rarely use the button will look cold.

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

I don't see the reason to have two buttons it simmilar function.
Plus, I feel many will just click on the hugs button instead of writting a (thoughtful) reply to threads with this function.

Venus, what's wrong with "just" giving a hug? There are times I don't have it in me to write a thoughtful reply to someone, but I want to acknowledge what they said. I like the option of offering a hug rather than seeming to ignore the person.

[venusss]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

Venus, what's wrong with "just" giving a hug? There are times I don't have it in me to write a thoughtful reply to someone, but I want to acknowledge what they said. I like the option of offering a hug rather than seeming to ignore the person.

Because it seems to easy to type. I believe it when a friend does it.... but a stranger? A serial hugger? I am sorry, but I cannot take that too seriously, because it is too easy to do....

and I just prefer words... maybe because I am a bilingual person with a degree in foreign language and value words greatly? And clicking a hug button seems terribly dehumanized.

[Okami]

Because there are DEFINITELY not enough 'hugs' going around on this site already...
Adding an extra function to contribute to the already easy-enough-to-type statement that is already put at the beginning/end of every paragraph is constructive for sure.

Okay. No. Really.
In all seriousness... Really?

[pachyderm]

Let's fight about hugs!

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by sunrise

... I wonder why there is a counter badge for hugs and not thanks?

It's not a badge, true, but you may already have seen this under the Statistics tab on members' profiles:

Total Thanks

Total Thanks: *,***
Thanked *,*** Times in *,*** Posts
Find all thanked posts by ******
Find all posts thanked by ******

[Flooded]

Originally Posted by Okami

Because there are DEFINITELY not enough 'hugs' going around on this site already...
Adding an extra function to contribute to the already easy-enough-to-type statement that is already put at the beginning/end of every paragraph is constructive for sure.

Okay. No. Really.
In all seriousness... Really?

I was soooooo tempted to hit the "hug" button for the first time but hey, I'll just stay cold and uncaring

[venusss]

Originally Posted by Flooded

I was soooooo tempted to hit the "hug" button for the first time but hey, I'll just stay cold and uncaring

so not pressing a button makes you cold and uncaring?

wow.

[Vibe]

This makes me uncomfortable. I do not enjoy inappropriate touches from strangers - no matter how virtual it may be. Friends have to be pretty close before I start feeling comfortable with this kind of interaction.

This is a site where it's often mentioned that people are at different stages of healing and development. There are also people from various cultural backgrounds, with different definitions of respect, and with a variety of abuse history. I find a site change to promote a specific way of doing things, which alienates some of these people, to be disconcerting.

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

Plus, I feel many will just click on the hugs button instead of writting a (thoughtful) reply to threads with this function.

Some, however, may click on the hugs button instead of passing the post by when they don't happen to have a thoughtful reply ready.

[lizardlady]

*sheesh* I didn't mean to start a fight, but I stand by what I said before. There are times that for any number of reasons I may not feel able to type a reply to someone, but want to acknowledge them/ give them support. This is a site for folks with mental health struggles. There may be times we just can't write a response to someone.

OK, some of us like the new feature, some don't. A suggestion for those of you who don't like it - don't use it!

Some people don't like emoticons so they don't use them.

Some folks don't like the ability to use different fonts, colors, etc, so they don't use them.

Same thing goes with the hugs button. If you don't like it, don't use it.

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by Vibe

This makes me uncomfortable. I do not enjoy inappropriate touches from strangers - no matter how virtual it may be.

((((( Vibe ))))) <-- hug with air space, no touching involved

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

so not pressing a button makes you cold and uncaring?

wow.

That is a little harsh.

I really don't see what the problem is, It is just the same as the thank button really only that badge symbol maybe needs to go.

[Vibe]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

OK, some of us like the new feature, some don't. A suggestion for those of you who don't like it - don't use it!

Some people don't like emoticons so they don't use them.

Some folks don't like the ability to use different fonts, colors, etc, so they don't use them.

Same thing goes with the hugs button. If you don't like it, don't use it.

Those are very different. If someone posts emoticons, fonts, colors, etc. that stays on their own post. Hugs are an action performed on someone else. And to make matters worse, we do not have the ability to say, "No thanks, I don't like to be hugged." Thus, it effects us, even if we do not want it to.

[pegasus]

Well, I'm going to go against the grain here and say I love it! I love you all and I want to hug each and every one of you! There are a lot of people here on the forums who feel very unloved, are lonely and perhaps never received safe hugs before. The hugs on Psych Central are safe and I believe genuine. Feel the love and enjoy it.

Hugs