Saturday, August 8, 2009

Would you like a hug from me?

Have you ever heard of Juan Mann? Well he's this guy who for seemingly lost it all in London and had to go back to his hometown Sidney dejected with no one to welcome him home. He recounts how he saw others being welcomed with smiles and hugs and he had no one. And this was how he embarked on this great idea. He got a huge cardboard and wrote in bold letters "FREE HUGS".


Yep, that's Juan Mann with his now iconic cardboard sign.

I've been thinking about this concept since I first heard of it a couple of weeks ago. (I think I've heard of it before but only really got the story then.) I find it funny (or strange depending on how you choose to look at it) how in a city where you can hardly find a place to be alone, one can still go for days on end feeling lonely. I've always thought that hugs are great. I love them! They make you feel good and accepted, and hopefully makes the recipient feel the same way. Unfortunately, its not easy getting hugs. I feel that in our society, unless your a kid or in a relationship, you don't really get that much hug. I reckon I average maybe 5 or so per year.

So I thought, why not try this out? I don't know how many have tried this, or if we're ready for it as a society, but it sure would be cool to at least see if I can make it work. Imagine making people smile by giving something that's absolutely free! Please, let me know what you think, I'd really appreciate any feedback I can get.

Let me leave you with the youtube clip that virally transmitted his campaign all over the world.




10 comments:

Lester said...

Dude, watch this MV done in Baywalk --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQnL9LBInAk&feature=fvw

philos said...

@Lester: The song was good, but that sure was a waste of time. It's just a music video.

Visual Velocity said...

I feel weird whenever someone hugs me. The last one was several months ago. I need more practice. That, or medication. Ehehe.

Eric : Blog De Manila : Philippine Blog said...

Unfortunately it's being discouraged due to AH1N1 ;)

joyfulchicken said...

If you ever try to do the stunt, I want to watch.

NVV2009 said...

Wow I am now seing this the second time first it was being viewed by a preacher on TV and had a different song but the great thing of this is the Embrace that we need each and everyday of our life...GBU!!!

philos said...

@Andy: Just weird? No feeling of warmth at all? You don't like it?

@Eric: Well a hug couldn't really hurt that much, unless the person you're hugging is rude enough to cough in your face.

@JC: Well, I would need a witness if I ever pull something like that... maybe even a secret cameraman.

@NVV2009: Could that preacher by any chance be Bo Sanchez? I saw this video at one of his talks too... though I hardly remember the song.

Visual Velocity said...

Most of the time I feel weird. I think I just need to get used to it. I hope I do, ehehe.

Gary said...

yeah, it sure would be nice to be in a society that's open to the hugs. then again, wouldn't it be something common then that we won't feel that it's something that gives warmth etc?

philos said...

@Andy: Hmm... if hugging's all weird for you, a handshake or a pat in the back might be sufficient.

@Gary: That's one bridge I'm willing to cross when I get there because I hardly think that our society can ever get used to it enough to happen.