If a random stranger asked you for a hug would you give them one?

No.

Depending on the circumstances… I think anybody with decent judgment would be able to determine whether hugging a certain person would compromise their safety or health.

The brooklyn-ite in me would think she’s stealing my wallet or something…but I’d give a person a hug, yes, depending on how I perceive them…in manhattan there are those Free Hugs people all the time and I give ‘em hugs definitely

As long as it wasn’t some creepy, old guy, probably.

Depends where, who I was around, and the appearance (age, gender, cleanliness, sketchy-ness) of the person asking.

This is probably the coolest thing I’ve ever seen on youtube. Free Hugs

Usually. I grew up in Eugene. Getting asked for hugs was pretty common.

I’d rather not.

Yes.
If I saw sincerity in their eyes.

We all need a hug now and then.

Sure, why not. Not quite free love, but nothing wrong with free hugs.
But I’m a old guy so I guess there will be no @Facade hug.
See ya….Gary/wtf

I said creepy old guy…... Are you creepy? :P

I really don’t know. I have given the odd random a hug in clubs but that was probably more alcohol induced! If I was sober I think I would be quite uncomfortable with that.

If someone looks like they really need a hug, I’d offer.

I’m not sure if I wrote it here, but when I learned of my grandmother passing a couple weeks ago, I was sitting in my doctors office. I began sobbing uncontrollably. No one looked, they ignored me. I could not stop crying and was wishing my husband were there to hold me, as he is usually the person who knows when I want a hug and don’t ask for one. I was honestly shocked that no one came over to console me. I would have gone over and hugged someone if I saw them in such distress like that. :(

@casheroo That’s so sad that no one came to console you and yours is a very different situation which I don’t think I would be able to ignore even if I just offered the person a tissue. I couldn’t sit there and watch someone sob their heart out :(

@casheroo no way would i ignore you

I second @Facade old and creepy, no. but anybody else, yes. I was at the bus stop about a week ago, and there was a lady crying, she asked me I had any change to spare, and if I had a hug to spare. But I gave the lady some change, and a hug, and helped her find the local homeless shelter. She just lost her house, job, husband, she really needed somebody to be there. And that hug really made a difference to her.

Depends on the person. A lonely seeming elderly person would probably get a one-armed hug. A child would probably get a real one. Anyone else… well… they’d be on their own. I’m just not a huggy person. Or a stranger person, actually.

@Facade…I checked with @sccrowell and she screamed “hell no” to the creepy question and advised I was to hug no one but her, so I have to change my answer to I’m afraid not. @sccrowell works full time so we…oh, never mind See ya…Gary/wtf

When it comes to physical personal space, I go with my gut so it would be dependant on that.

Sure, I could always use a hug. Somehow I wouldn’t be too surprised if an American asked me, but if anyone else asked me I might have to think about it twice.

For those of you that don’t watch ‘Curb your enthusiasm’, make sure the hug doesn’t last longer than five seconds.

I would give them hugs, there might be a reason they’re asking. I think that @shego made a good point. Kindness.

@knitfroggy that was a great video! I have done this and would do it again and again! Some people just need it and hugs do make you feel pretty good!

I’ve seen more movies like that spread over the internet like a wildfire, just watch out they aren’t pickpocketers.

Yup, I would. The world needs more random hugging!

I’m surprised no one has mentioned my favorite (the original) random hugger video! I’d hug anyone as long as it didn’t seem like a ploy to steal something from me or touch me in a sexual way.

@whatthefluther If I was her, I’d say the same thing lol

@La_chica_gomela: Deze video is vanwege auteursrechtbeperkingen niet beschikbaar in je land. Which means it isn’t viewable outside of wherever you live, hooray for the (not so) worldwide web.

no I think that krap is corny and wierd

NO!!

P.S.
After five seconds they start to grope you

Absolutely. If someone needed one enough to actually ask they deserve it. There’s been plenty of times I’ve been feeling super down and really just wanted to ask someone for one but I’d always chicken out.

I would if it was a guy in a bear suit in NYC. Then, I’d look for the camera & wave to the Letterman audience! ;0)

@markyy: USA, sorry! It’s just Dave Matthews Band’s best video ever, Everyday. Maybe you can watch it on some other site?

A hug at the right time is priceless. That’s a Yes, btw.

I’d wait for getting the swine flu vaccine.