For Teenagers, Hello Means ‘How About a Hug?’
Here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/st...hugs.html?_r=1

[bearchic34]

hmmm thats intersting. I have not noticed it here but we are in a pretty conservative area so they'd probably ban it if the students started it.

Well, we don't hug a lot in school unless you ask first or somebody asks you or you are really close...because a lot of people aren't very huggy-touchy in our school. It's tough 'cause I love to hug my friends and family but I respect that.

Though it's interesting last thursday we had a "hug-a-palooza" in lunch with friends. Every one was hugging, group hugging, and bear hugging (taking turns) in order to show off their hugging techniques. it must have looked really weird to the other students .

I used to have a friend who when she saw me in the hall, ran up and practically tacklehuged/glomped me, then broke out into song. It made me feel so loved

[MyBestKids2]

This is interesting! Thanks for sharing.

My daughters school administration doesn't allow hugs, its considered PDA (personal display of affection). Unfortunately, its also grounds for detention or even suspension.

I love though!!!

I find it so sad that it's banned. I can understand why it might be an issue in city schools/big schools where things like that could get out of hand. I go to a small rural school though so it's okay (whenever I pass my old US History I give him a fist-elbow bump in the halls lol he's a pretty cool guy. You wouldn't guess how mild-mannered he is when he rides a motorcycle to school everyday even in the winter)

[GrayNess]

As a teenager, I don't hug my friends and they don't hug each other (exceptions are the boyfriend-girlfriend couples). We simply use a little wave, a smile, a nod, knuckle-to-knuckle tap, occasionally a little slap on the back, etc... . In my family, you only hug those who you a) love or b) are family or c) a long-time family friend. Sports sometimes are the exception also. Most of my friends have it this way, however, a few are the exception even when not boyfriend-girlfriend couples.

I've seen various friends hug but to me, hugs are reserved for other people as mentioned above. Even my best friends don't hug each other nor hug me. If we randomly did, then for our group/whatever you call it, it'd be considered unusual.

Banning it is rather pointless though. As long as there's no feeling up on each other, then it's no different than a high-five or pat on the back, as all of these gestures involve close physical contact. I presume though that hugging, due to how close you are and such can be seen as a more sexual gesture, however, that's a rather inaccurate and broad assumption to make.

I don't hug for the reasons stated above as well as to me and my family, and most of my non-hugging friends, you hug someone who you would also kiss affectionately. I don't plant a big sloppy kiss on my friend so I don't hug them, however, I don't view a hug as always being sexual.