If a Stranger Hugs You in Downtown Tel Aviv, Don’t Slap Them

October 28, 2006 - 7:22 PM by

They may just be part of the international Free Hugs Movement. Lisa encountered them recently and provides virtual hugs for all of you:


Free hugs
Uploaded by Lisang

Tif not only got a hug, she joined in, moving up in the ranks from hugg-ee to hugg-er. Then she invited all of the huggers over for dinner! She explains the philosophy behind this strange new phenomenon:

The basic idea is that we could all use a little more hugging in our lives. We’re all perfectly used to seeing strangers shouting at each other on the street for no good reason – why not have strangers hug each other for no good reason? Volunteers hang around in crowded places and offer a free hug, and a few friendly words, and a smile, to all who want it.

Well, this evening Idan and I joined in with the group in Kikar Rabin. And it was quite an experience. I must say that I’m not usually perceived as a very threatening person, but, when offering something as incomprehensible as a friendly hug, even I managed to intimidate a decent number of passersby. No one in this country would cross the street if they saw a couple of people arguing and shouting at each other nearby, but a decent number crossed the street to avoid the weirdos holding up signs offering free hugs I have to admit, though, if I’d never heard of the movement I’m not sure I would go up and hug people – I might have guessed this was some strange cult gathering or social engineering experiment or something. But the truth is it’s just a bunch of people who think the world could really use more hugs, and it’s better to be nice to someone for no reason at all than to be mean to someone for no reason.

And as it turns out, it happens to be a bunch of particularly cool people, as well. After the hugging, as a serious thunderstorm descended on the city, a group of huggers came over to our place for dinner. We had a great time. Turns out there’s no better way to make new friends than to hug strangers in the street

Her partner in crime, Idan, agrees, and the crew of huggers included several Hebrew-language bloggers. You’d think that bloggers likes the distance from other humans provided by their screens and keyboard — but no — blogging and hugging appear to go together.

Tags: • Category: Life 

Comments

6 Comments on If a Stranger Hugs You in Downtown Tel Aviv, Don’t Slap Them

  1. David on Sun, Oct 29th 2006 2:52 AM

    2. I can assure you that if anyone tries to hug me in the street, I will give them the “nicest” Israeli knuckle sandwich I can muster.

    This new age touchy-feely is crap and ought to be left [and kept] in that stinky little country which is destroying itself, France.

    The End!

  2. Idan Gazit on Sun, Oct 29th 2006 9:59 AM

    3. That’s ok, David — you are welcome to keep your knuckle sandwiches to yourself, like all good kindergarteners. While you’re sitting in the corner reflecting on your potty mouth, consider that you’ve just offered violence as a response to somebody offering to hug you. You could just, you know, simply say “no thanks!”

    Which would be the politest way to decline, really. Asshole.

  3. Lisa on Sun, Oct 29th 2006 1:26 PM

    4. Aww, Idan – don’t be so hard on poor David. He’s such a pathetic, sad and bitter little man.

  4. David on Sun, Oct 29th 2006 3:08 PM

    5. If I offer a knuckle sandwich in return to the offer of a hug it is merely transmitting a message and not violence. Naturally if the hug is attempted then the offer becomes concrete. There is no confusion.

    Lisa, how much do you weigh now? 180lbs?

  5. Idan on Mon, Oct 30th 2006 7:31 AM

    6. Mmm, either he’s sad and pathetic or he’s deliberately trolling, in which case he’s even more sad and pathetic.

    David, I would make a joke about your appearance but you’re too much of an asswipe to even link to yourself, or perhaps you’re only really good at snide comments on Israelity, which is really for the best — I suspect that anything serious you write would be abhorrent in the extreme.

    By the way, “abhorrent” means disgusting, in case you lack that particular piece of vocabulary, to go with your better judgment and courtesy.

  6. orit on Sat, Nov 4th 2006 3:32 PM

    7. hello
    my name is orit and i think what u r doing is wonderfull, im a film student and i would love to film you in action , so i wrote my mail if you can send me your phone ill be very happy!
    thank u and a big hug
    orit

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