Even if you’re not particularly close—say, he’s a friend of a friend or a coworker—some people offer quick hugs as a greeting or goodbye to acquaintances and close pals alike.
If he hugs you to show gratitude, he might accompany it with a verbal note of thanks, but not necessarily. [2] X Research source
He may hug you protectively because he wants to come off as strong and heroic. Embracing you could be his way of showing how strong and powerful he is. While many of these interpretations could apply to one-armed hugs as well as two-armed hugs, a guy is more likely to hug you with both arms to protect you.
A hug to celebrate will likely be more enthusiastic and might be accompanied by laughter, smiling, or raucous cheering. Note how other people are celebrating around you to see if his behavior stands out—for instance, if you’re at your college graduation, there’s probably lots of congratulatory hugging going on. [4] X Research source
If he hugs you to try to comfort you, it’s probably more likely to be a sustained, close hug rather than a brief, light embrace. It’s also possible that he’s the one in need of comfort! If he seems down, he may need reassurance and not know how to ask for it. [6] X Research source
Actually, studies indicate that the more hugs we get a day, the happier we are. 4 hugs may help combat depression; 8 hugs may help the recipient achieve mental stability; and 12 hugs a day can help you achieve real psychological growth![7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Is his embrace tight and intimate? Does he rub your back? Does he wrap his arms around your lower back? These signs may tell you if his hug is romantic. [8] X Research source
Some people use “friendly” physical contact like hugs as an excuse to touch people inappropriately, or to get them accustomed to their touch so that they can escalate it to inappropriate touching. [9] X Trustworthy Source Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network Largest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivors Go to source How does he behave with other people? Is he lecherous and touchy-feely? If you notice he seems to flirt with and touch lots of other people, it’s possible he’s just a creep.
Even if you don’t know what his hug meant, you can return the hug if you feel comfortable. You can ask him directly what his hug meant, or you can wait to see if it becomes clearer over time.
Of course, just because you let him hug you once doesn’t mean he has free reign to hug you whenever he wants. You can always turn down a hug. Not only does regular hugging improve our mental health, so does expressing gratitude! So if you and your guy embrace to express thankfulness, you’re paving the way for great mental health. [11] X Research source
If you’re not sure his hug was romantic in nature, be careful about taking things too far, just in case he only meant for his hug to be platonic. You might not be able to see his expression while hugging, but pay attention to his body language: if you tighten your embrace and he tenses up or pulls away, it’s a sign he’s not comfortable. [12] X Research source
If he grabs you inappropriately, call him out and push him away: try, “Don’t touch me” or “Get away from me!” Report the incident if you feel comfortable, and retreat to a place where you feel safe. [14] X Trustworthy Source Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network Largest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivors Go to source
Is the guy in question your friend, a possible love interest, a colleague, or something else? What is his behavior generally like toward you? If he doesn’t usually hug other people, the hug may mean something special.
Did he do anything while hugging you—like rub your back or maintain eye contact? How much he touched you, as well as how intense your connection was while embracing, can tell you how significant the hug was. Of course, someone might also opt for a light embrace or a one-armed hug because they’re uncertain how they feel or are too shy to go for a tight hug.
