Keep doing it. I'll be 60 and dad, 82 this fall. Lost mom almost 20 years ago. She was the hugger and the one you went to for a shoulder to cry on. Might drive him nuts at first. My brothers asked why. Because I can....and knew it drove him nuts. He now initiates the hugs when we leave. You might even get to discuss personal subjects without that look on his face. You know the one. The boats going down...can't swim...shore is over there...think I can make it. Jump! Joked for many years my dad would rather jump out of a perfectly good, floating fishing boat, than discuss anything personal.
I grew up in the era of handshakes and you marry the love of your life. Now it is hugging and you marry your best friend. I am still not a fan on the latter. Best friends were who you hunted with, drank beer with, got into fights and chased women with. The wife doesn't hunt, doesn't drink beer and a night out on the town... won't allow chasing women. Oh and me hugging other women is really frowned upon !! Hell the second date I took Barb on, I took her to a dance. About an hour into the dance, my sister came running up and gave me a hug. I really hated hugging back then, especially my sister. Barb was holding my hand and started squeezing it harder and harder as my sister was jabbering away for a few minutes. She didn't know she was my sister. I had heard before dating Barb, she was known to get into a few fights and had a pretty nasty right hook. She does have a nasty right hook. Very fast, hard and very accurate. Anyways, when Barb let go of my hand and stepped in between us, even though I was still curious to see if the rumors were true on Barb, I hurried up and told her that the jabber queen was my sister. I started laughing and Barb wanted to know what was so funny. I told her, I almost got to see if the rumors were true about you. She laughed, punched me hard in the shoulder and said," Maybe.". I found the love of my life that night.
No it was something for me I hug my wife, another person is hard for me. I don't like to even be touched by others, I can handle a handshake but don't put your hand on my shoulder.
Ty for this! My son and I talked about this for an hr yesterday. Got him hooked. The origins of our universe. So much to learn about everything, including our thoughts on God, physics, aliens...so cool!
Asteroids may be a bigger concern over aliens. https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/2021/01/05/5ff466aeca4741001c8b4657.html
I am the same way, other than my wife and kids, I do not like to be touched. My MIL is hugger and doesn't give a crap about my comfort zone despite repeatedly asking her to respect my personal space. 16 years and I am still not comfortable with it.
I'm the same way. Kids, wife and maybe some relatives .... OK. Friends, a handshake or a wave. There were a couple people that would come into the bar and as they got to know me would start with the hands. Back slapping, shoulder grabbing ..... even pats to the head, wtf. The more they drank, the worse it was. After a few times of slapping their hands away and giving them "the look", they got the picture. Sometimes I think they were trying to assert dominance. Not on me, man.
I'm a problem solver. Never said the solution is easy but it would be effective. But you do have to ask if she likes HER person space being invaded. A surprising number of people who do such things have their own red line. You just need to find it and exploit it ruthlessly with the don't care attitude they show you
Unfortunately, that wouldn't work in my situation. My MIL has no sense of personal space and likes to get uncomfortably close with everyone. My four-year-old punched her in the face one time because she would not let go of a hug after he asked repeatedly to be let go. I did not correct his behavior because she was in the wrong. That turned into a fun argument she didn't win.
Paying off my student loans today. All by myself. Like a grownup. took 20 years, but at 2.5% actual interest and with the rate of inflation it was effectively an interest free loan to myself. SUCK ON THAT, GEN Z.
according to various internet sites that I have heard of, this will apparently NOT make her stop. Probably change the family dynamic considerably.
Here's the thing about hugs...it's Russian roulette as to who has what. I worked in a high school. Gave my 2wks notice and on my last day all the kids got together to say thanks and good by...So many hugs! I had made it 38 yrs never having lice....until that day WTH! Do Not Hug Me!!!!
Today I planted part of my garden. Seeds that can handle some freezing but will get a row cover when we get a few 25 nights. I got beets, Swiss chard, spinach, kale, and mixed lettuce. Cleaned up the strawberry tires then put a clean layer of straw on them took out the potato cages and got the set up with the first layer of straw packed down and the watering tubes centered and tied off. Cleaned up the collard green bed...lost a few but most are doing well. Peas and carrots get planted next week. Good start to the year...
