What Do Hugs Mean? The Different Kinds of Hugs Body Language

What Do Hugs Mean? The Different Kinds of Hugs Body Language

Cue: Hug

Synonym(s): a) Abrazo, b) Bear Hug c) Buddy Hug d) Sleepy Shoulder Hug e) Quickie Hug f) Unreciprocated Hug g) Cuddle Hug h) Squeeze Hug i) Waist Hug.

Description:

a) The Abrazo is done by pressing the chests together and engulfing the back of the other person with the arms.
b) The Bear Hug is a loving but hard and firm huge that can be done between men and women, two men, two women or an adult and child.
c) The Buddy Hug is a hug that is between friends where each person pats the back of the other.
d) The Sleepy Shoulder Hug is when two people cuddle up to one another and one person rests against the other’s shoulder.
e) The Quickie Hug is a brief hug that is brief where one or both parties quickly splits from the hug and heads off.
f) The Unreciprocated Hug happens with only one full participant. The other person usually stands stiff with their arms to their sides or barely hugs back.
g) The Cuddle Hug happens when one person rests against the other’s shoulder, usually while seated watching television, a movie or at the park.
h) The Squeeze Hug is less than a bear hug but still firm.
i) The Waist Hug happens usually while standing where one arm is wrapped around the waist of another.

In One Sentence: Hug variations help define relationships.

How To Use it: See other sections with help in applying the various hug types.

Context: General.

Verbal Translation:

a) [Abrazo] “I like you so I’m pressing my chest against you.”
b) [Bear Hug] “I really like you a lot and adore you and want to show how much I care by squeezing you tightly.”
c) [Buddy Hug] “We can be friends, but I don’t want to date you.”
d) [Sleepy Shoulder Hug] “I like you, but more importantly, I feel safe in your arms so I’m going to rest my head against your strong shoulder.”
e) [Quickie Hug] “I really need to be someplace else so let’s just hug quickly so I can get out of here.”
f) [Unreciprocated Hug] “I’m not interested in hugging you, we don’t see eye-to-eye so I’m just going to let my arms go limply to the side as you hug me.”
g) [Cuddle Hug] “I want to feel safe in your arms and so I’m snuggling up against you.”
h) [Squeeze Hug] “We have fun together, we should do this again.”
i) [Waist Hug] “We are an item, attached at the hip, and walk as one.”

Variant: There are two main variants to hugs. They are the light social hug and the intimate hug. The Light Social Hug or the Polite Hug is used for acquaintances and friends, and happens when the shoulders come together but the hips remain separated and do not press together. It is where only the minimum amount of touching is present and most certainly not the hips. In The Intimate Hug, the hips come together and press together. It signals romantic or sexual interest. It is common in lovers.

Cue In Action:

a) [Abrazo] When Dad and Son were reunited from across the ocean, they hugged each other with by engulfing each other with their arms.
b) [Bear Hug] Dad gave his son a big bear hug after picking him up from school.
c) [Buddy Hug] At the end of the date, she hugged him and patted him on the back.
d) [Sleepy Shoulder Hug] While waiting for the bus, she rested her head against his shoulder.
e) [Quickie Hug] The bus was about the leave so she quickly hugged her boyfriend before bounding off to catch it.
f) [Unreciprocated Hug] He hugged his wife, but her arms were limp, she expected an apology.
g) [Cuddle Hug] The couple snuggled up on the couch together for popcorn and a movie.
h) [Squeeze Hug] At the end of the play date, the kids all lightly hugged each other before meeting up with their parents.
i) [Waist Hug] The couple enjoyed a beautiful sunset while embracing at the hip.

Meaning and/or Motivation:
a) [Abrazo] A term originating in Latin America that describes a brief hug between men.
b) [Bear Hug] Means that a person really likes and cares for someone else and wants to be close to them.
c) [Buddy Hug] A hug that is light on intimacy hence the patting (which aims to break the hug up) but is rich in camaraderie and friendship. When in a dating context it shows that intimacy is lacking and is replaced with more friendship.
d) [Sleepy Shoulder Hug] Indicates a desire for closeness through protection.
e) [Quickie Hug] Means that people are short on time and need to be someplace else.
f) [Unreciprocated Hug] This is the cold shoulder. It means that a person is not happy and doesn’t have much in common with the hugger or is holding a grudge.
g) [Cuddle Hug] Indicates the desire to be, and feel, protected.
h) [Squeeze Hug] A tight hug showing that fun was had but it is devoid of passion.
i) [Waist Hug] Denotes two people that are an item and whom want others to recognize them as such.

Cue Cluster: N/A

Body Language Category: Courtship display, Friendship touching or friendly touching.

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