Taser.

Taser

As usual, Scola is wise.

Taser.

Ooh. That's better than my idea, which was "cat-urine perfume."

What I usually do in those situations, Steph, is just take a step back while putting on a HUGE smile and say "Great to see you!" or something similarly very enthusiastic.

I do that, often trying to be holding something (so that my arms are full and therefore cannot hug), but you'd be surprised at the number of people who lunge toward me with outspread arms despite what I thought was a clear Don't-Hug-Me-Or-I'll-Need-Ativan signal.

Heh. Tep, I can tell you that as a hugger (who has hugged you without your consent and I still feel bad*), I would really hate to learn that I had inadvertently made someone I care about and like feel badly. So, I say that you should let people know because they don't want to make you uncomfortable and would feel badly if they knew that they did.

Given your dislike of conflict, I would enlist The Boy to let people know. Something along the lines of "you know, Steph really likes you, but FYI, she doesn't like to be hugged unless she initiates it. I'm pretty much the only one who can do it. She feels really bad about it because she likes you, and doesn't want it to be awkward, so I've decided to let people know."

* I know it's okay, but I still don't like that I was that clueless and caused you discomfort.

Taser.

Or rig up my clothes with the system Batman uses so that if he's unconscious and someone tries to unmask him, they get a severe shock.

It would be effective, geeky, AND cool.

It would be effective, geeky, AND cool.

and they would totally love it. Of course, watch out for the TENS people, they might hug you for fun.

Heh. Tep, I can tell you that as a hugger (who has hugged you without your consent and I still feel bad)

I need to reiterate that you hugged me right when I was upset about personal bubble issues (largely, a few people who came up from behind me and started petting me/rubbing my shoulders/etc. unannounced -- the from-behind physical gesture is WAY worse than a frontal, anticipated hug).

Plus, I love you guys. I'm good hugging all y'all in greeting and goodbye. But a lot of these meatspace people are people who I'm not effusively fond of; some I hardly know at all; and frankly, some give me the Ick.

I would really hate to learn that I had inadvertently made someone I care about and like feel badly. So, I say that you should let people know because they don't want to make you uncomfortable and would feel badly if they knew that they did.

Yeah, I don't think they *would* feel badly knowing I was uncomfortable. They'd just think I was being a snooty bitch. (Which is, actually, just fine with me.)

Of course, watch out for the TENS people, they might hug you for fun.

That is SO mean of you to make me guffaw at my computer, because then I have to explain why drugs for ulcerative colitis are funny!

(Because oh, my god, the TENS people TOTALLY would.) (And I couldn't blame them. Moths to a flame, baby.)

Yeah, I don't think they *would* feel badly knowing I was uncomfortable. They'd just think I was being a snooty bitch. (Which is, actually, just fine with me.)

well, they wouldn't be hugging you then, so I'd call it a win.

That is SO mean of you to make me guffaw at my computer, because then I have to explain why drugs for ulcerative colitis are funny!

hey, just saying ulcerative colitis makes ME smile!