I bet men would be less lonely if they hugged each other once in a while and meant it.

[starkrg@myside-yourside.net]

@alice Hugging between men is only acceptable during sports, at which time it's also acceptable, maybe even expected, to cop a feel, despite that generally not being an accepted practice in any other situation, even in private.

[ricko@tech.lgbt]

@alice I admit, I weaponize my general social awkwardness for this purpose — I hug men friends and coworkers, and let them chalk it up to "Rick doesn't understand we don't have a hugging relationship". Rick very much understands, thank you.

I have no regrets about this. If they don't want hugs, they can say so, and no harm no foul. (I don't sneak attack hug. I'm very clear when I'm coming in for a hug.)

[alice@lgbtqia.space]

@aadeacon y'all don't need an excuse. It's okay to just hug (with consent).

[andycarolan@social.lol]

@alice There needs to be more hugging!

[starkrg@myside-yourside.net]

@uc @alice It wasn't intended as a real assessment of what is acceptable. It was more of a tongue-in-cheek representation of a common aspect of toxic masculinity, particularly the American flavor.

[theorangetheme@en.osm.town]

@alice Agreed! Granted, I'm gay and most of my male friends are some flavor of queer, so we already hug anyway, but it's really nice! Platonic touch is great, more men should try it.

[alice@lgbtqia.space]

@StarkRG as long as they've got enthusiastic consent, grab away.

[bribear@blahaj.zone]

@alice@lgbtqia.space my mental health is so much better since I started having platonic cuddle sessions.

[starkrg@myside-yourside.net]

@alice And then make the coach sticky by pouring sports drink on him. Which, I can only assume, they proceed to lick off him once they get to the locker room. Normal man things.

[alice@lgbtqia.space]

@StarkRG that explains so much.

[justwes@mastodon.social]

@alice this would be great and something I’ve tried to have in my current adult life.

But it’s also such a painful loop to be in because most dudes just don’t get hugged in a meaningful way in those formative years. So we don’t know how to spread the love later.

With my child I hug them all the time and I’m always telling them how much I love them.

I hope I can break the cycle.

[azzura@lgbtqia.space]

@alice just the hug alone would do wonders.

[jwcph@helvede.net]

@alice I can confirm this to be true. When I was growing up & all the way through my teens I didn't hug other dudes (except maybe if we were really drunk) & I explicitly remember the time in my 20's when I decided to become a hugger & started to feel less lonely.