This piece struck me. I have a female friend who is not a fan of being hugged. I've thought of her a lot lately because in the past six months I've met about a half dozen women who hugged me at the end of our first meeting. I'm okay with it...I mean it doesn't make me uncomfortable, but it's not something I would do first. I agree this is a growing trend, as the "handhsake hug" that I've had men do to me in increasing frequency as well.

I have another female friend who hugs me hello and goodbye every time I see her. Again I'm fine with it, but she started doing it before we were the close friends we are now. As I said, none of this bothers me, but I have to agree with her that this behavior is on the rise. I'm not sure I have an opinion on it.