February 24th, 2009A hug a day keeps the doctor away
I know that it should be ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ but I was thinking about hugs early yesterday morning after he said a simple goodbye to his parents and me at the airport. He said something like “Okay, I’m going now. Bye.” He turned to wave at us and then he left. I didn’t have time to react. It was too fast and unexpected. I was surprised because he went straight through the door without lingering, without giving his parents a chance to say a proper goodbye, without hugging anyone, without hugging me. Maybe he just wanted to avoid an awkward goodbye scene with his parents. Also, many Asian people(the more traditional families) don’t hug. I reckon that he should have made the first move and hugged them. His parents will never say it out loud but I’m sure that they would have been pleased.
If his parents weren’t there, I’m sure that he would have at least hugged me. (He’d better!!! Grrrr)
What I’m used to: longer goodbyes. I remember when I went back to Mauritius in 2005 & 2007 and when it was time to leave and go to Shanghai, mum was talking to me at the airport, telling me to take care of myself, to be a good girl,etc . Then I hugged all the persons who came to see me off and went in, turning back to look at them through the door,waving at them and maybe even trying to hold back tears. I was expecting to see something similar this morning. The first time I ever hugged my mum was in 2004. My mum and I didn’t get along very well during my teenage years. In 2004, I applied for the scholarship to go to China to study and upon receiving news that I got it, I hugged my mum. She was surprised but my hug kinda broke the ice. We get along much better now.
A hug doesn’t sound like much but to me, it is just what I need to prevent myself from collapsing on a particularly bad day. Hugs do wonders for my mental health. And of course, not just any hug but a hug from him. I’ll miss that.
Till we meet again……
spam spam spam spam spam spam spam spam spam...
Oh, poor you. But I kind of understand. I find these goodbyes tedious and cannot bring myself to drag my feet and hug people. It’s a quick goodbye and woosh I’m off. Although I’d still hug my gf if my parents met her and knew of our relationship.
Hugs are not typical in asian cultures, even less amongst the men. I am not surprised although my wife and I hug a lot.
Eddy.
after he read this he will know what to do next time !! – haha
maybe he is just shy or playing it safe!
how about “a smile a day keeps the doc away”!?!
Raymond, my bf’s parents know me already.
They know that I’m his gf but I guess that my bf’s family aren’t into hugs. Being from Mauritius, to you, to me and all the other Mauritians(not all but many of them), hugs are no big deal. After all, we already kiss on the cheeks when greeting each other.
Eddy: Indeed.
Ah.. You just reminded me that men don’t hug much amongst themselves.
David: Now he knows.
waz: A smile can really help to brighten people’s day.
I think he probably meant to give the hug but did not know how to go about doing it. Guys are usually like that. They just don’t know what to do in certain situations. I know one who’s like that.
everyone here must now give her a hug to make up for it ! haha
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ aline }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
i totally agree with Morinn coz i’ve been in this situation for the better part of last year…
@ aline: a smile…a laugh…a hug…we all need it!
as per David’s request:
*waz hugs aline*