Rocking a free hugs shirt, and the positive physical interactions it brings.

Atuday

I have a free hugs shirt. I bought it a while back after having various free hugs buttons over the years. You can see the shirt on my profile. Over the years that I have worn it I've only had it on about a few dozen times. Every single time I've worn it while out and about I've gotten/given a hug. I never have any idea who I'll get the hug from. I never know why they'll want the hug. I've also never had a reason to refuse giving someone a hug.

Most of the time the people who ask me for a hug are veterans. Some old, some young. Almost all of them are suffering in silence. The second largest group are people recovering from something. Addiction is common, but some people are also recovering from trauma. The third largest group are the people that love the idea of free love and sharing happiness. The hippies, the stoners, the extroverted party people. They'll usually try to get a big group hug going.

The last group are the people I wish I could help more often. The folks having a really bad day. I've had 2 of these.

The first was a little old lady. Her dog had died. She cried in my arms for a while. She thanked me and gave me cookies a few days later because she felt I really helped her.

The second was a kid. Just some random teenager who saw the shirt and said "hey can I get a hug". I gave him one, he thanked me and left. Kinda awkward kid but I didn't think much of it. Ran into him a week later. He told me the hug was what stopped him from ending it. I still check in on him from time to time. He's doing really well now.

I started wearing free hugs shirts for my own mental health and as a way to combat being touch deprived. Now I'm doing really well but I still wear them when I can because I know how much people need a hug. I made a difference.

If any of you need a hug, let me know. I've got an unlimited supply here. If any of you want to join me in spreading hugs to the world, go to amazon and get yourself a shirt. It's not the same as cuddles, but it's in the same vein so I figure the people here would understand.

pmvines

As much as I hate to say it, middle aged men trying to solicit hugs on the street from strangers through their clothing can certainly give the wrong vibe. We are in a cuddle bubble of shared interests so it's a bit of an echo chamber , but that doesn't mean it's not gonna be weird for people not in the bubble . This reality check was given to me by a close and wise friend when they saw me rocking a free hugs shirt , and as much as I hated to admit it, I see their point . To some it comes across as a little creepy and weird.

TheFunCartel

@pmvines Don’t worry, once you exit middle age into old age people hug you because they feel sorry for you due to the near future when you are dead. And they know you are pretty harmless judging from the creamed corn stains on your shirt.

Atuday

@pmvines I've never had a problem with people think I'm overly creepy. This is because I don't say anything about the shirt. I let them bring it up. I let others come to me. The shirt is just a shirt until someone says something. There have been incidents with creepers who run around using the fact that they're wearing the shirt as carte blanche to grab on to young women. This is actually why at scifi/anime conventions there's usually a group of body builders called "Splatters". Which are like bouncers but much harder.

For the older gentleman I would suggest a "free dad hugs" shirt. Those have been gaining in popularity thanks to the pride movement.

SunsetSnuggles

@pmvines Don't go bein' sexist and ageist all at the same time, now. 😋 An invitation on a shirt doesn't make one a creeper. Actions do.

@Atuday I think your story is lovely. I've had a Free Hugs shirt on my Amazon wish list for quite awhile, now. Just waiting for the right moment to snatch it. 🤩

~ Sunset Snuggles

🦄 Enthusiast 🏞 Travel Fiend 🐘 Animal Lover

Lovelight

Wow that's an amazing post and sounds like you've had really profound experiences. Thank you for sharing.

I personally have considered once or twice doing poster type while standing somewhere like some YouTubers have done. Though probably without the cameras. Although, I think there's nothing really wrong with recording the interactions either if went about the right way, and it could be safer. Though personally my strong opposition to the impacts any second/third, etc., hand smoking can have on me has in part discouraged me from it. Though I could perhaps consider just having it as a boundary, if I ever decide to do this and not let it be a reason that entirely stops me from trying to help brighten others' days.

Another thing that I've thought about doing if and when I can someday afford is to buy a bunch of flowers and gift to random people, friends, and acquaintances. Maybe I'd do it on specific holidays, though I think it doesn't necessarily have to be either. 😊

SunsetSnuggles

@Lovelight I love that second idea; I had a late family member who did that, and sometimes on their birthday, I do it in their honor. 🌹🌻🌷

~ Sunset Snuggles

🦄 Enthusiast 🏞 Travel Fiend 🐘 Animal Lover