Think back to the last time you met someone for the first time: Maybe a neighbor . . . a friend’s friend . . . a co-worker . . . or the car salesman at the dealership you went to. Did you say shake their hand . . . or hug them?
A new poll asked Americans, “How do you usually greet each of the following when you see them?” And for someone we’ve just met, 51% of us said a handshake . . . 18% said “a wave or a nod” . . . 12% said nothing physical, just a hello or a “hey.”
And 5% said they greeted this stranger with a HUG.
2% said they will greet the person with a kiss on the cheek, which may mean they’re European. Or a grandmother. And 1% of weirdos claim they will greet someone new with a kiss on the lips.
Of course, when asked how people greet their romantic partner, it’s the REVERSE. 31% say a kiss on the lips . . . 5% say a kiss on the cheek . . . 12% say a hug . . . 1% say a wave or a nod . . . and 0% say a handshake.
Back to the extreme huggers among us . . .
The poll also asked, “Do you think people should generally ask before hugging someone they know?”
18% said yes, always . . . 56% said yes, in some situations. . . and 16% said no.