analog

A lot of guys in this country have started doing the handshake-into-one-armed-hug thing.

It seems like the more severe the situation is, the more the hug is socially warranted (in this country). I've been to a funeral for a firefighter recently (not lost on duty, lost during retirement due to damage received during duty)... you better believe there was some hugging going on. I don't know if anyone beats a room full of firefighters on macho posturing, but no one in my experience is as close in brotherhood, either (probably members of the armed forces).

Anyway, as this guy i once knew said, "men can hug. Sure. But when you're hugging another man, you always do that back-thumping with a tightened fist, or back-slapping with an open hand. It's a manly way to hug because it's like... 'yeah, i'm huggin' ya- but i'm hittin' ya' "

I don't know if it still cracks me up more because it just sounds funny, or because he was half-serious when he said it.