Professional Hugging?

Is there anything like “professional hugging”? Is it the hug type offered by a certified, registered and experienced huger after attending a renowned institution and successfully completed a certain number of credit hours? Or is it the hug offered by a professional such as a doctor, or a pilot, you and me? If it’s the type of hugs found at work here are 11 commandments for hugging at an office. 

The Hugging Rules

1. Don’t Hug those you supervise unless: 

•  it’s being supportive in a non-creepy way 
• after a major family or personal loss – sideways, kind of arm around the shoulder, you care about them hug 
• it’s at a wedding and you are congratulating them 
• it’s a hug for a professional win (promotion, giant sale, big project completion, etc.) 
• It’s with a group, not alone in your office with the lights off; unless you would feel comfortable with your spouse standing next to you and watching that specific hug. 

     2.   Hug your external customers or clients when they initiate hugging sequence

• Don’t hug if: it is required to get business – that’s not hugging, that harassment. 
• Don’t let hug last more than a second or two, or it gets creepy. 
• Don’t mention the hug afterwards; that makes you seem creepy! 

    3.   Don’t Hug the office person you’re having an affair with in the office. 

          (no explanation needed) 

    4.   Hug peers, not just every day. 

• It’s alright to hug, but you don’t need to do it everyday for people you see everyday. Save some up and make it special! 

    5.   When you Hug, hug for real. (Nothing worse than the ‘fake hug’! A fake hug is 

          worse than a non-Hug.) 

    6.   Don’t whisper – ‘You smell good’ – when hugging someone professionally. 

          (That’s creepy – in fact don’t whisper anything while hugging!) 

    7.   Don’t close your eyes while hugging professionally. (That’s weird and a bit 

          stalkerish) 

    8.   It is alright to announce a Hug is coming. (Some people will appreciate a – 

          ‘Hey! Come here I’m giving you a hug – it’s been a long time!’) 

    9.   It’s never alright to Hug from behind. (Creepier!) 

  10.   Never Hug in the restroom. (Make for awkward moment when other employees 

          walk in and see that.) 

  11.   If you’re questioning yourself whether it will be alright to Hug someone 

          professionally – that is your cue that it probably isn't. 

Courtesy; Tim Sackett