The No Hug Zone

posted December 3rd, 2018 at 12:09 AM

Wow, I just saw a news item on the fashion house Ted Baker and how they're in trouble for their culture of hugging. The employees have filed a petition trying to stop the aspect of their corporate culture. The hugging wasn't forced claims their lawyers. I agree their a time and place for such things but it's also representative just how bland and cold society has become in these PC/#Metoo times. People are becoming terrified of normal social interaction. I suspect those people who have an adventurous spirit and can afford it will relocate to nations that haven't completely become Borg like robots like France, Spain or Italy. They definitely won't be relocating to Vancouver. Brrrr...

9 Comments

???

Dec 3, 2018 at 11:08am

Culture of hugging? what kind of company enforces a rule that requires staff to hug each other? that's just weird, creepy and wrong.

Here to work, not to touch

Dec 3, 2018 at 11:46am

Don’t underestimate how offensive touching can be for some people. I’ve seen some men react really angrily when another man touched them. You don’t know people’s history, you don’t know if they’ve been physically or sexually abused or molested. My husband was physically abused and he is NOT OK with any stranger touching him without his consent. If the employees don’t want touching, then that should be respected. Go hug your friends or family workers and leave your coworkers alone and untouched.

Beat this

Dec 3, 2018 at 4:49pm

For the last 20 years,I have studiously avoided any and all women at work. Only necessary work related interactions.

Your normal is not my normal.

Dec 3, 2018 at 6:14pm

Hugging at work is NOT “normal social interaction”. Nope, nope, NOPE.

It also wasn't only hugging...

Dec 3, 2018 at 9:52pm

@OP, please read into it more. There were also unsolicited shoulder massages, invitations for sex, etc. Just plain creepy stuff not suitable for an office. Also, I agree with the other posters here. Hugging at work is weird and wrong. I personally hate it when people hug me, unless they are close friends, family, or my husband. I don't want random office coworkers hugging me. Some of them are sweaty. One smells like cigarettes. One is routinely covered in dog hair. One wears nasty perfume. Also, they are not my friends. Keep your hugs to yours and stay out of my personal space!

Fibromyalgia

Dec 3, 2018 at 10:39pm

Even aside from the discomfort of being touched like this, people with invisible physical illnesses like fibromyalgia are in pain ALL THE TIME. Being asked to hug or being touched incorrectly could cause them immense pain.

Little fascists..

Dec 4, 2018 at 8:42am

.... little fascists
And they're all so sexually repressed
They can't even tolerate hugging.
Jesus Christ, you're not even human anymore, are you?

I get it

Dec 4, 2018 at 2:13pm

I wouldnt want to hug my co-workers. But its pretty common in other cultures to hug and even a double cheek kiss (bisous!). I miss those warm and friendly greetings.