Day of Free Hugging

I recently received an email from a friend in Geneva stating that she had participated in a 'Day of Free Hugging'. The concept is quite simple... They stood in a line in front of the train station with signs in various languages stating 'Free Hugs'.

She said the response was interesting and overwhelming... people were curious and for the most part willing to give hugs. The idea was not to force but to only offer.

Perhaps some of those unfriendly people we encounter each day are simply unhappy and need a hug. I think we should sponsor something similar here in Munich. It would bring some warmth and happiness to the city.

Among the responses she received:

• smiles, thank-you
• an old man said he was sick and very sincerely looked me in the eye to say it "healed him"
• overzealous men…enough said
• people who resisted, once hassled the reluctantly hugged and gave a smile
• an lonely older women who couldn't get enough
• tourists taking pictures, filming, etc
• a man who ran away from me
• "I just got a hug"—well you are getting another buddy!
• a women asking me if I was selling anything
• great hugs
• people looking at me like I was insane
• "are you on drugs"
• a man around my age that said "a great asset to civilization"
• children who ran to me for a hug sometimes hugging my leg before I realized there was someone there

You can get more information online at Free Hugs... and if you are not sure how to properly give a hug there are instructions on the website.

Hopefully there is enough interest to get something like this going here!

Happy Hugging!

Toytown is more interested in other maters: photos of people you hate

I love hugs!

At the stadium in Munich during World Cup, a boy and a girl dressed in tracht held signs saying free hugs from real Bavarians. People were actually lined up to hug them. Amazing. People will line up for anything that is free.

I could do with a hug.

heh, let me know where and when this is taking place!! although the germans (from what ive noticed) dont seem to be to friendly with strangers...

this has been occuring in many places. China didn't seem to embrace it well.

Grouphug, now!

There's that video...

Free hugs.

Regalo Abbracci (free hugs in Italy).

I've never heard of a "Day of Free Hugging" in Munich.

But I have heard of the cuddle parties that happen here. A similar idea.

nice one.

I'm not a really touchy feely person (though occassionally exceptions are made) so the idea of going around and hugging or being hugged by random people makes my skin crawl. However, some people are touchy feely and sometimes just need a good hug, so yeah... good for them.

That cuddle party looked gross though. Like ER's comment on that thread - like the world's most boring orgy.

Just got this in my couchsurfing inbox:

International Free Hugs Day!! Munich, March 22nd
Doesn't everyone need a hug sometimes? Winter will be
gone soon, it's springtime!... So it's time for a big
International Free Hugging event! Let's cheer up the
world on Saturday the 22nd of March. This is being
organized in numerous cities and countries around the
world. This is the one for Munich!

Do you know what we are talking about when we say Free
Hugs Campaign? There's some information on the
wikipedia pages:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Hugs_Campaign

To truly grasp the idea, please watch the video here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

And if you're a male who's never given hugs before,
here's the tutorial (women can watch, too, if you're
up for a laugh ;-) www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUdWApwbudQ
)

A quick outline:

Originally created by Australian Juan Mann, the free
hugs campaign has spread throughout the world and it
involves individuals who offer hugs to strangers in
public settings. The campaign is an example of a
random act of kindness, a selfless act performed by
someone for the sole reason of making others feel
better.

-------------------------------
*** Munich Specifics ***
-------------------------------

On Saturday the 22nd of March, we'll be meeting at
13:00 in central Munich, at Marienplatz, to give out
Free Hugs to anyone who'll let us. The event will last
for a few hours, after which we will head off for the
after party, likely to be at the Hofgarten (if the
weather is nice) or a nearby pub (perhaps Kilians
and/or Ned Kelly's, but this also depends on how many
sign up).

Depending on numbers, we can also split up into groups
with an organizer or two heading off to different
locations with smaller sub-groups. In any case,
Marienplatz is a good place to start.

EVERYONE is welcome!! Bring your friends, family and
pet moose ... all you need is a FREE HUGS sign for
everyone, preferably in English: "FREE HUGS" as well
as German: "GRATIS UMARMUNG" or "KOSTENLOSE UMARMUNG"
(and of course in any other languages you want). Just
use cardboard (from supermarkets, for example) or very
sturdy paper. And dress comfortably!

Also be sure to charge your camera batteries the night
before ... aaaaannnnndddd! be prepared to smile and
laugh all day and night!

For all the shy and the skeptics out there, it's not
compulsory to join in on the hugging. Feel free to
come along and just watch (or take photos/videos). :
) It's just a really nice atmosphere and a great
chance to meet a few new friendly faces and just enjoy
yourself!

Please be sure to join the meeting officially so other
members can find you easily afterwards and to give
everybody a better idea of how many to expect. It's
very simple to join: just go to the meeting page and
scroll down and click "Join this meeting".

Also feel free to discuss the event here:
http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.htm...amp;post=649338
(especially note Jeanette's suggestion to meet up to
make signs!
http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.htm...338#post760726)

Please note that, if you are not already a member of
the Munich group, you will need to join it first to
post in that discussion, but you know you wanted to
anyway!! You'll find the button to do that here:
http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=1223

I look forward to seeing you all there! :-D

Cheers,

Brie

P.S. See also the Free Hugs International CS Wiki page:
http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Internatio...ampaign20080322

MEETING DETAILS:
FROM: March 22nd, 2008 - 1:00 pm

LINK:
http://www.couchsurfing.com/meetings.html?mid=8401

LOCATION: Germany - Bavaria - Munich
ADDRESS: Marienplatz near the fish fountain in front of
the Rathaus

Isn't that rather mild for couchsurfing, a group based on sleeping around?

Ha ha ha, I slay me!

Hippies