This article was co-authored by Imad Jbara and by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. Imad Jbara is a Dating Coach for NYC Wingwoman LLC, a relationship coaching service based in New York City. 'NYC Wingwoman' offers matchmaking, wingwoman services, 1-on-1 Coaching, and intensive weekend bootcamps. Imad services 100+ clients, men and women, to improve their dating lives through authentic communication skills. He has a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
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You're meeting an old friend for lunch when they enthusiastically greet you with a long, tight hug. As the seconds go by, you’re left wondering if this is a friendly hug, or if it means they’ve been harboring a secret crush on you after all these years! The duration, body placement, and pressure during a hug can actually tell you if someone is feeling romantic or if they only view you as a friend. In this article, we’ll decode what each type of hug means and tell you how to replicate them so that you can hug like you mean it.
Things You Should Know
- A tight bear hug or a hug with back pats is usually friendly and platonic.
- If their arms are around your waist or they’re hugging you from behind, the hug is romantic.
- A quick distant hug or a sideways hug is mostly just polite and impersonal.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat are some signs that a hug is more romantic than friendly?Imad JbaraImad Jbara is a Dating Coach for NYC Wingwoman LLC, a relationship coaching service based in New York City. 'NYC Wingwoman' offers matchmaking, wingwoman services, 1-on-1 Coaching, and intensive weekend bootcamps. Imad services 100+ clients, men and women, to improve their dating lives through authentic communication skills. He has a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
Dating CoachA romantic hug is usually tighter, so you might notice them squeezing you more. Additionally, they might hold the hug a little longer than usual. You could also feel chemistry between you and the person. -
QuestionWhat does a hug with both arms around the neck mean?Community AnswerA hug with both arms around the neck is usually used between partners. It implies love and warmth.
Video
Tips
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Pay attention to how the hug feels if you're trying to figure out if the hug is friendly or romantic. With a romantic hug, you might feel a spark or chemistry between you.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-asymmetric-brain/202206/10-things-make-hug-great
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-path-passionate-happiness/202203/the-shocking-truth-about-hugs
- ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/february/affection
- ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/february/affection
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-hugging-is-actually-good-for-your-health-video/
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/benefits-of-play-for-adults.htm
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9216399/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shouldstorm/202006/science-discovers-the-perfect-formula-hugging
- ↑ https://www.dignityhealth.org/articles/facts-about-touch-how-human-contact-affects-your-health-and-relationships
- ↑ https://changingminds.org/techniques/body/hugging.htm
- ↑ https://www.scienceofpeople.com/know-someone-going-give-handshake-hug/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-asymmetric-brain/202202/4-important-new-discoveries-about-hugging
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shouldstorm/202006/science-discovers-the-perfect-formula-hugging
- ↑ https://www.gundersenhealth.org/health-wellness/eat/10-ways-to-respect-your-body
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15740822/
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1877858522000730
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-asymmetric-brain/202304/where-in-the-world-do-people-hug-and-kiss-the-most
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/body-image.html
About This Article
Reader Success Stories
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"Reading an article about how different hugs mean different things was truly enlightening for me. It provided a fresh perspective on a simple gesture that we often take for granted. The article clearly explained what different hugs meant."..." more