The Dawning of the ‘Hugging Era’

So when did it become okay for men to hug one another and what led to it becoming acceptable behavior?

Not exactly a headline-grabbing subject but I’ve wondered in recent years when and why things changed from the old days. I’m pretty sure when I was young my father and I hugged often but I’m not 100% positive. I do know later when I was an adult we were always comfortable with it.

However a lot of my friends and their fathers never hugged and would greet each other with firm handshakes which I guess was a sign of masculinity. When I was in my 20s and 30s I never remember hugging even close friends unless you were at a funeral where of course everyone hugs.  However today I don’t think twice about embracing a good friend or maybe someone I have not seen in a long time.

Look at sports. Everyone hugs, even their opponents and I know for sure that was not the way it was back in the 60s, 70s and even 80s.  A handshake after a game or a quick pat on the butt was about the most emotion you would get. Now the sports world has become a hugfest.

I don’t think there’s a moment in history we can refer to as the beginning of the “hugging era “and I’m sure there is not a definitive reason why but my guess might be it’s just a generational thing.  If my generation is okay with it we passed it on to our children and they are even more open to the male hug as a normal greeting.

However, while I welcome this there is a downside.  A lot of men, especially young ones have awful handshakes. They don’t offer a firm hand and look you in the eye and put anything into the effort, just a limp and often sweaty grip that couldn’t break an egg.  You know what today’s real man is? One who has a strong handshake AND a warm hug.  And yes it’s okay to eat quiche as well.