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THE HUG AT THE WAIST THE SIDE HUG THE HUG FR

LOVE » AFFECTION

What 16 of the Most

Common Hugs Mean
Which hugs mean they're into you (and
which ones mean you're just friends)?
Co-authored by Imad Jbara and Devin McSween
Last Updated: October 2, 2023 Fact Checked

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You're meeting an old friend for

lunch when they enthusiastically
greet you with a long, tight hug. As
the seconds go by, you’re left
wondering if this is a friendly hug, or
if it means they’ve been harboring a
secret crush on you after all these
years! The duration, body
placement, and pressure during a
hug can actually tell you if someone
is feeling romantic or if they only
view you as a friend. In this article,
we’ll decode what each type of hug
means and tell you how to replicate
them so that you can hug like you
mean it.

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Things You Should Know

A tight bear hug or a hug with

back pats is usually friendly and
platonic.
If their arms are around your
waist or they’re hugging you from
behind, the hug is romantic.
A quick distant hug or a
sideways hug is mostly just polite
and impersonal.

1 The Classic Hug

This is a warm, intimate hug

between friends and family. The
classic hug is one of the most
common hugs, where you and the
hugger wrap your arms around
each other with your chests
touching and heads side by side.
Make it a great hug by embracing
them tightly and holding the hug
for several seconds.[1]
You typically give and receive
this hug when you say
goodbye to someone, or are
greeting them after a long time.
Someone who has romantic
feelings for you may squeeze
you a little tighter or might hold
the hug for a little longer.

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2 The Bear Hug

The bear hug is a long, tight hug

that signals intimacy. In this hug,
someone wraps their arms all the
way around you and squeezes
tightly. This hug is usually platonic,
but means that you are close with
the hugger and are sharing a
happy moment together.[2]
Be careful to not squeeze too
tightly during this hug.

3 The Hug at the Waist

A hug around your waist is

romantic and means they trust
you. This is a very common hug
between romantic panthers that
signifies they are comfortable
together. Simply wrap your arms
around your partner’s waist and
hold onto them to show that you
care.[3]

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4 The Side Hug

A sideways hug is a casual, less

personal hug. When you are
greeting an acquaintance, they
might quickly drape an arm around
your shoulders. There is minimal
touching in this hug, as only the
sides of your bodies meet, which
signifies its more polite and
friendly.[4]
However, if a close friend or
romantic partner gives you this
hug, it can be a sign of quick
affection, comfort, or
encouragement.[5]

5 The Hug from Behind

This is a playful, affectionate

hug between romantic partners.
In this hug, your significant other
surprises you by wrapping their
arms around you from behind,
pulling you close and showing that
they love and care for you.[6]
If you are giving your partner a
hug from behind, rest your
head against their neck to
nuzzle and cuddle them for a
minute. You can then turn them
around and deepen the hug.
Surprise your partner with this
hug when they’re washing the
dishes or scrolling on their
phone to show them you care
when they least expect it.

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6 The Quick Hug

A short hug is a friendly, social

greeting. This is a common hug
that doesn’t mean much beyond a
polite acknowledgement. Your
upper bodies may touch, but your
lower does not. You might receive
this hug from an old friend, a
colleague, or family member.[7]
If you receive this hug from
someone you're interested in,
they might just be in a hurry to
get somewhere. However, if
they avoid eye contact and
give a polite smile, they might
see you as a friend.

7 One Armed Hug

A hug with just one arm is

friendly and platonic. When you
receive this hug, the hugger wraps
one arm around your back with
minimal chest and body touching.
This can signify that they aren’t
close with you yet and are nervous
about a hug seeming intimate.[8]
If you are getting to know
someone romantically, or even
dating them, and they only give
you this hug, it might mean
they only view you as a friend.

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8 The Patting Hug

Patting your back signifies

warmth and comfort among
friends. This hug is strictly friendly,
with a few quick pats or rubs
before you pull apart. There is still
a connection between the
shoulders and chest, which means
it's more of an intimate hug
between close friends.[9]
Many people also call this the
“Bro” or “Buddy” hug because
men commonly greet their
friends with a few slaps to the
back.

9 The Triangle Hug

This is a cold, awkward hug with

no body touching. In the triangle
hug, you and your hugger’s lower
bodies are positioned far away
from each other to form a triangle.
This is an extremely quick, polite
hug done out of obligation.[10]

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10 The Unreciprocated Hug

An unreciprocated hug can be

cold and unwanted. If you remain
motionless, with your arms at your
sides, during a hug, this can
signify that you don't want the hug
or are uncomfortable.[11]

11 The Catcher Hug

This is a happy, romantic hug

after a long time spent apart.
When your partner greets you,
they will run up to you and leap
into your arms with a long, tight
hug. This is an excited,
affectionate hug that signifies a lot
of trust and love between you and
your partner.[12]
If you are receiving this hug,
spin your partner around for an
extra romantic, sweet gesture.
If you are giving this hug, wrap
your legs around their waist
and bury your head in their
neck to get closer and show
how much you missed them.

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12 The Eye to Eye Hug

This is a romantic hug where a

couple gazes into each other's
eyes. During this hug, your partner
will wrap their arms around your
waist or shoulders and touch their
forehead to yours. This hug means
you two are extremely close,
trusting, and loving.[13]
This hug can lead to a slight
sway or dance. Lean your
head on your partner's
shoulder to amplify the
romance and your connection.
[14]

13 The Cuddle Hug

A long, snuggly hug means they

feel comfortable and safe. You
and your partner might be
watching Netflix on the couch
when they wrap their arms around
your waist and rest their head on
your chest. This hug shows sweet,
relaxed affection between the two
of you.[15]
You can turn this hug up a
notch with caressing and
kissing to get more romantic
with your partner.

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14 The Group Hug

A hug with multiple people

signifies warmth and
togetherness. You might initiate a
group hug with close friends or
family to show your happiness
during a celebration, or strengthen
your bonds during a farewell.
Simply gather up your friends and
form a tight ball, with your arms
around everyone.[16]

15 The Pickpocket Hug

This is a sweet, romantic hug

that means they trust you. You
and your partner might be walking
together when they slip their arm
behind your back and place their
hand in your pocket. Reciprocate
and place your hand in their
pocket for a cutesy, rom-com
worthy gesture.[17]

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16 The Self Hug

Wrap your arms around yourself

to provide comfort. Sometimes,
there isn’t anyone around to give
you the comfort and reassurance
you need. Luckily, you can wrap
your own arms around yourself
and squeeze to help you feel
better.[18]

Expert Q&A

Question

What are some signs that a hug

is more romantic than friendly?

Imad Jbara
Dating Coach
Expert Answer

A romantic hug is usually tighter,

so you might notice them
squeezing you more.
Additionally, they might hold the
hug a little longer than usual. You
could also feel chemistry
between you and the person.
Helpful 52 Not Helpful 14

Ask a Question

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Tips

Pay attention to how the hug feels

if you're trying to figure out if the
hug is friendly or romantic. With a
romantic hug, you might feel a
spark or chemistry between you.
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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