2. The Atta-Boy: This is the male-on-male half handshake/half hug in which one guy goes in for the hug, while the other anticipated a manly, formal handshake. If you can’t get your hands out of the way quick enough, it becomes a handshake plus one-armed pat on the back.
1. The “Let’s See How Far Apart We Can Stand and Still Hug” Hug: This is the opposite of the full-body press. Both parties must lean in and only the shoulders and arms lightly touch. This is typical of two extreme non-huggers who somehow were forced by social norms to engage in this massive violation of their spaces. It lasts for about 0.3 seconds.
And that concludes my catalog of awkward hugs. I look forward to engaging in some of these with many of you this holiday season.
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