The challenges of physical interaction as a person "of stature"
 

So I've come to the conclusion that, as a man who is likely more than one standard deviation taller than the mean height of North American men, hugging me can be slightly awkward for some of the shorter members of the opposite sex (not that I won't hug men, but I digress). Has anyone here developed any exciting new techniques in the field of hugging that would make it seem less like people are hugging a tree, and more like they're hugging another person?

With my short friends (I'm a 5'8" woman), I am a bit silly... I'll bend over so we're more even to hug them, and just stand up straight still holding them. They're usually a bit startled... but the 15 yr old in me is amused. :p

Most of my solutions aren't, really... just bending a bit, or finding times other than when you're standing, i.e. you're sitting and they're not, etc. Otherwise, I think you're just screwed. As for a hugging "technique"... the only bad thing I've ever noticed about hugging the rare person who is that much bigger than me, is that they sometimes sort of squish me into their side and it's a bit like hugging a rock. Try to make yourself more pliable, soft... hugs should be comfortable!

My wife and I (I'm 6'4", she's 5'6") take the chance to hug when we are going down a staircase. She'll stop on the last step, and I'll take the last step down putting us on somewhat more equal footing.

Other than that, enjoy your differences. There are probably more benefits to being tall than detriments. Focus on those!

I've began to just give a casual lean to one side, and use one arm....

-Will

All good feedback, thank ya!

I suppose I could also just start hanging out with taller women. ;)

I'm 6'6".

I had a girlfriend who was 5'1" and we never had a problem hugging. Other things were awkward, but not hugging.

I'm trying to think of what it is.. I think I just bend down quite a bit, enough so that their hands can go over my shoulders.

And man do I love hugging.

I'll let you know what it is that I do the next time I hug someone... hard to envision.

When I was in middleschool and was over a foot taller than all my friends, I'd pat them on the head in an almost condescending manner. I thought it was pretty funny. So you can always pat people on the head. :thumbsup:

That'd be great!

will: haha I'm a big fan of condescending pats on the head as well, but they just can't replace the hug sometimes.

I also like to pick people up when I hug them. Unless you think you'll squeeze them too much.

Personally, I give leghugs to really tall guys. If I know them. And I'm happy to see them. (Buddah! You're overdue for another one!)
I'm 5'8", so taller people aren't a big problem. You could just scoop'em up, inviting the leghug :D

Yeah it's not easy. I'm tall and big around and it makes for interesting hugging. Of course no one hugs me anyway

*cries in a corner*

Also a good time, as long as they don't hate being picked up.

^^ If you're that big, who cares? What are they going to do to you? :lol: At least... that was always my theory... but hey, no one hits a girl for picking them up, I guess. :D

I like hugging tall people. I don't think it's awkward for the other person unless you feel odd hugging them. If you're comfortable, they'll be comfortable. Just practice. Hug people. It's healthy.

jth- I'd hug you!

I try to hug often and well. I've only had one person mention anything (I don't find it awkward at all).

Just bend a little bit, and they will stretch out to meet you. An ex-gf of mine that was 5'2" took every oppourtunity to catch me at the bottom of stairs or while she was standing on a bed. That's fun too. :)

I think it's turning your head. A lot of awkward tall people try to hug with their face looking forward, but I think that turning my head to the side helps me to get a lot lower (and more consistent hugging).