Should Men Shake Hands or Hug?

[Bible Highlighter]

Christ had wept. If Christ shows emotion, there is nothing wrong with us showing emotion in the appropriate time and place. It is the same with hugging. There is a time and place for it and a time and place that is not for it. But we strive to do all things to glorify Jesus Christ.


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[NothingIsImpossible]

Didn't Jesus hug people?

That aside I find alot of men don't like hugging because it seems to be a natural "Not macho if I hug you!" thing.

I'm italian do hugging is normal no matter who it is. Kissing (cheek) if what I do with my aunts, grandmother...etc. I've only had someone kiss me on my lips once that was a guy, that was a guy actually from italy himself. Admittedly it was bit weird. In our church we are "huggy". No kissing though. Only time I feel awkward when hugging is when its a woman whos big chested. Because its hard to reach around their body for a hug without pushing against their chest. I realize it means nothing and they don't take it as anything more then part of hugging. But still I like to respect women.

 

[Aryeh]

When did the world become so huggy? I've met people for the first time, and they want to hug me! It's odd.

My guess is that the feminizing of culture has led to this current hugfest.

My motto is, why hug when a handshake will do. (stole the like from Frasier)

It is a purely cultural thing.

In the West, culture changes often. So, compared to 20, 30, or 40+ years ago it seems like a shock.

Some of it may be what you suggest, but with globalization comes a blend of cultures. And, there are many cultures where kissing other guys (on the cheek,) hugging and/or handshaking is normal - and every one is sober when doing it.

 

[GoingByzantine]

Let people greet each other however they want, as long as it is done with platonic intention. If two people of the same sex want to kiss eachother as a greeting, then let them, it is biblical after all.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

It is a purely cultural thing.

In the West, culture changes often. So, compared to 20, 30, or 40+ years ago it seems like a shock.

Some of it may be what you suggest, but with globalization comes a blend of cultures. And, there are many cultures where kissing other guys (on the cheek,) hugging and/or handshaking is normal - and every one is sober when doing it.

Globalization might be the reason for the change. Good point. There are so many immigrants where I live. . .

 

[Basil Isaacks]

When did the world become so huggy? I've met people for the first time, and they want to hug me! It's odd.

My guess is that the feminizing of culture has led to this current hugfest.

My motto is, why hug when a handshake will do. (stole the like from Frasier)

And if you came into an Eastern Christian Church, especially an Orthodox Church with a lot of converts in Dixieland, how would you react to grown men not only embracing, but kissing each other on the cheek?

christ is born! Glorify Him!

 

[jimmyjimmy]

And if you came into an Eastern Christian Church, especially an Orthodox Church with a lot of converts in Dixieland, how would you react to grown men not only embracing, but kissing each other on the cheek?

christ is born! Glorify Him!

Fortunately, I will never have to deal with that situation, as there is zero chance of me ending up in an EOC.

 

[Strong in Him]

My guess is that the feminizing of culture has led to this current hugfest.

Don't know about that; have you ever seen a footballer score a goal?

 

[Received]

When did the world become so huggy? I've met people for the first time, and they want to hug me! It's odd.

My guess is that the feminizing of culture has led to this current hugfest.

My motto is, why hug when a handshake will do. (stole the like from Frasier)

Feminizing? Maybe, and if so that doesn't have to be a bad thing.

But maybe we've become more huggy because we preconsciously realize how disconnected we've become because of the power of the isolation machines (laptops, phones, etc.) on top of the ever-growing grip of our consumerist, self-driven (by definition excluding the other) culture that our bodies are begging for the touch of oxytocin release we're way in need of. That ain't feminizing. That's a biologically fundamental need for attachment starved by culture.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

Feminizing? Maybe, and if so that doesn't have to be a bad thing.

But maybe we've become more huggy because we preconsciously realize how disconnected we've become because of the power of the isolation machines (laptops, phones, etc.) on top of the ever-growing grip of our consumerist, self-driven (by definition excluding the other) culture that our bodies are begging for the touch of oxytocin release we're way in need of. That ain't feminizing. That's a biologically fundamental need for attachment starved by culture.

Whatever the cause, I wish it stop.

I would disagree with your theory because the people suffering from UHS (Unnecessary Hugging Syndrome) aren't gaining any real closeness from it. There's no depth to the practice, which is one reason I oppose it. It's inauthentic, aka, phony. It's not genuine affection, just a parroted behavior.

 

[sculleywr]

When did the world become so huggy? I've met people for the first time, and they want to hug me! It's odd.

My guess is that the feminizing of culture has led to this current hugfest.

My motto is, why hug when a handshake will do. (stole the like from Frasier)

We exchange a "kiss of peace" in many Orthodox Churches. Touch-based affection is different in every culture.

 

[2 know him]

When did the world become so huggy? I've met people for the first time, and they want to hug me! It's odd.

My guess is that the feminizing of culture has led to this current hugfest.

My motto is, why hug when a handshake will do. (stole the like from Frasier)

I suggest the problem is within you, not those who wish to hug you.

Love and hatred are emotions and emotions are feeling and feelings keep us from being disconnected with others.

I feel sorry for you.

 

[Received]

Whatever the cause, I wish it stop.

I would disagree with your theory because the people suffering from UHS (Unnecessary Hugging Syndrome) aren't gaining any real closeness from it. There's no depth to the practice, which is one reason I oppose it. It's inauthentic, aka, phony. It's not genuine affection, just a parroted behavior.

In that case, I'd expect you to make another thread on the verbal meaningless cancer that is, "how are you?"

 

[tulipbee]

You can handshake me but please, please don't run your fingers up my wrist. That's creepy going under my clothes. It must be a gay shake

 

[Emmy]

Dear jimmyjimmy. Whether handshake, hugging or kissing, God wants us to show our feelings, remember God sees the hearts. Let us all be sincere in all we do or say. God is Love, and God wants us to show our sincere feelings. Let us always remember the two Commandments which Jesus told us in
Matthew 22: 35-40: " The first and great Commandment is:
Love God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with our minds and let us love our neighbour as we love ourselves Let us be honest about our feelings, and always remember what Jesus told us: Love God and love our neighbour. God our Heavenly Father is always first, and our neighbour second. ( neighbour is all we know and all we meet, friend and not friend. Treat all as we would want to be treated. I say this with love, jimmyjimmy. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

In that case, I'd expect you to make another thread on the verbal meaningless cancer that is, "how are you?"

. . . and the equally foolish reply, "good".

 

[Aryeh]

Whatever the cause, I wish it stop.

I would disagree with your theory because the people suffering from UHS (Unnecessary Hugging Syndrome) aren't gaining any real closeness from it. There's no depth to the practice, which is one reason I oppose it. It's inauthentic, aka, phony. It's not genuine affection, just a parroted behavior.

Are you mainly talking about hipsters and millenials?

 

[jimmyjimmy]

Are you mainly talking about hipsters and millenials?

No. I'm not.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Aww I thought the grouphug that instigated this thread was very genuine indeed, minus the people that felt ostrasized by it JimmyJimmy. it seemed a real moment of brotherly love that Peter in his script of how to be a Christian would have been genuinely proud of. It surpassed our self-control but some must persever in their bahhumbugedness it seems. I'm all for the treatise on the meaninglessness of the expression 'how are you' too then. Don't ask if you don't want to hear.
Maranatha

 

[dayhiker]

I've loved hugging people since I was in the Jesus people back in the 70's. Didn't matter if it was a woman or a man. It always felt a like good way to let them know I cared about them. The longer I love the more healthy a good hug feels to me. But if I know someone isn't comfortable with hugging or even shaking a hand, I'd love them by hot toughing them.