Remember to hold on to your baby stroller

October 26, 2006 6:05 AM

Free hugs in New York City inspire free hugs in Sydney inspire free hugs in Philadelphia (Warning: Two YouTube links).
posted by Blazecock Pileon (34 comments total)

I'd let him hug me, but only so I could lift his wallet. And he's prolly try to grab my ass, so it might not be worth it.
posted by jonmc at 6:14 AM on October 26, 2006

There's no such thing as a free hug.
posted by pracowity at 6:15 AM on October 26, 2006

Free Hugs in Baghdad next!
posted by empath at 6:20 AM on October 26, 2006

I couldn't help but smile at the youtube videos, though.
posted by empath at 6:20 AM on October 26, 2006 [1 favorite]

Goddamnit!

*closes down Hugs For A Dollar business*
posted by Stauf at 6:29 AM on October 26, 2006 [2 favorites]

What's wrong with all you people - how cynical can you be? Makes me think somebody just might be in dire need of a hug... No matter what condenscending comments are posted here, these stories are the best thing I've seen in weeks. I actually got a bit teary during the 'Free Hugs Campaign' video.

Human contact's a wonderful thing. If you disagree with that, ask yourself whether you could do with a bit more yourself!
posted by Inglesa Loquita at 6:40 AM on October 26, 2006

This reminds me of a button I've seen floating around local conventions that reads "The next person to give me a hug gets this button!"
posted by Karmakaze at 6:42 AM on October 26, 2006

Awwww... hugging is nice.
posted by Mister_A at 6:43 AM on October 26, 2006

More like this, please.
posted by schoolgirl report at 6:51 AM on October 26, 2006

Of course, it figures that the police would shut them down. Anything out of the ordinary is bad.
posted by empath at 7:50 AM on October 26, 2006

Nice!

*hugs Inglesa Loquita*
*checks wallet and hugs jonmc *
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 8:08 AM on October 26, 2006

Awww. I wish I'd known about this yesterday; I would've run up the street and gotten a hug.

A friend of mine, from Jordan, is continually astonished at how little Americans touch each other.
posted by kalimac at 8:15 AM on October 26, 2006

Human contact's a wonderful thing. If you disagree with that, ask yourself whether you could do with a bit more yourself!

There are lots of forms of human contact that are both wonderful and things I wouldn't do with strangers in Washington Square Park. Hugging's one of them.

(That he seems to have a hard time taking no for an answer -- see the end of the NYT article about the elderly lady -- makes the whole idea even more uncomfortable.)
posted by mendel at 8:21 AM on October 26, 2006

I prefers hugs to handshakes. Seattle could use some free hug action.
posted by owhydididoit at 8:47 AM on October 26, 2006

What's wrong with all you people - how cynical can you be?

Why is it that you assume that just because someone wants to post a joke that it's rooted in cynicism. Laughter is just as therapeutic as a freakin hug and trying to be funny about something doesn't mean the poster has a heart of stone. HUG IT OUT, BITCH.
posted by spicynuts at 8:55 AM on October 26, 2006

What's wrong with all you people - how cynical can you be?

Um, very?

Mr. Littman said he was "not in touch" with his own parents, who live in Brooklyn. The subject causes a brief, sad lull before he charges on.

And he spends his Sundays hugging strangers in the park, eh?

hold me, daddy
posted by JaredSeth at 9:02 AM on October 26, 2006

Free sperm.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 9:07 AM on October 26, 2006

"Why is it that you assume that just because someone wants to post a joke that it's rooted in cynicism. HUG IT OUT, BITCH."

Awww, Spicy Nuts. I know deep down you're such a sweet and cuddly thing. C'me on over here and hug it out with me...
posted by Inglesa Loquita at 9:11 AM on October 26, 2006

as long as it doesn't last 20 seconds

as discussed here
posted by eustatic at 9:19 AM on October 26, 2006

This is stealing business from everyday huggers. Expect a NAFTA/WTO ruling that free hugging is illegal affection dumping meant to put everybody else who values their hugs a bit more out of business.
posted by srboisvert at 9:20 AM on October 26, 2006

That article squicked me.
posted by jason's_planet at 9:29 AM on October 26, 2006

Awww, Spicy Nuts. I know deep down you're such a sweet and cuddly thing.

Now free hugs for my sweet and cuddly thing is an idea I can get behind. Or on top of, as the case may be.
posted by spicynuts at 10:15 AM on October 26, 2006

"First, I was like totally paranoid," said Elizabeth Singer, 48, a psychotherapist...

"Yeah, like, gag me with phenothiazines," said Sara Baxter, 12, a brain surgeon.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 10:16 AM on October 26, 2006 [1 favorite]

Honest officer, I swore she said "mugging."
posted by hal9k at 10:57 AM on October 26, 2006

Free chest readings! I will read any attractive young lady's chest! For free!
posted by juliarothbort at 12:00 PM on October 26, 2006

On first (and second) look: he's a loony.

But really, why the hell not.
posted by chicobangs at 12:07 PM on October 26, 2006

I like that he hugs the dogs too.
posted by Nathanial Hörnblowér at 12:15 PM on October 26, 2006

Meh. I'm offering free shrugs.
posted by fandango_matt at 12:36 PM on October 26, 2006

Free Huggies. Only used once.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:08 PM on October 26, 2006 [1 favorite]

Where's my free blazecock pileon? That's why I signed up for this site.
posted by kingfisher, his musclebound cat at 2:40 PM on October 26, 2006

Oh, and I will be distributing free favorites votes when I return home drunk later tonight.
posted by kingfisher, his musclebound cat at 2:44 PM on October 26, 2006

Fuck the haters, I like everything about this.
posted by chrominance at 4:33 PM on October 26, 2006

Free hugs Atlanta Sunday, Sunday, Sunday
Who's Down?
posted by Rubbstone at 6:49 PM on October 26, 2006

*group hug!*
posted by divabat at 5:09 AM on October 27, 2006