English, baby!

Hugging

Date: Oct 16 2009

Themes: How To, Travel

Grammar: Conditionals with "Unless"

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Intro

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If you ever visit the U.S., get ready to do some serious hugging. Americans love to hug, and it’s customary for friends and acquaintances to throw their arms around each other when saying hello or goodbye. Of course, you wouldn’t hug a total stranger or someone you just met at a business meeting. But you might be surprised by how often you find yourself locked in a close embrace.

All this hugging can sometimes lead to awkward moments, like when one person goes in for a hug and the other person isn’t expecting it. Plus, not everyone has the same attitude toward hugging, even within the U.S. Some people hug across the board, while others reserve the hug for their closest friends and family members. Find out whether Devan and Ella would hug you if they met you.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Devan

Ella

Devan: So I know you’re planning on going to Paris soon. I was wondering, over there, do they hug when you meet someone?

Ella: I think they do the kiss on each cheek thing.

Devan: Have you ever had an awkward situation where you went to hug someone and they weren’t accustomed to doing that?

Ella: Yeah, like in Asian culture hugging’s not very normal unless you’re friends or family, so it’s more like bowing or just being respectful. But it’s kind of hard to remember that when I’m here in the States, ‘cause I hug everyone. But the only awkward moment I had was like hugging an ex.

Devan: It’s hard to tell sometimes if it’s appropriate to hug or not. Some people are very touchy-feely, other people just need their personal space and it’s like, “Woah, you’re getting in my bubble,” you know?

Ella: Yeah. Have you ever noticed there’s a whole bunch of different types of hugs?

Devan: Oh yeah, totally. Like the way girlfriends hug is different from the way guy friends hug, like guy friends will do the bro hug where they lock arms and do the pat on the back.

Ella: Or like couples, they’ll hold the waist, and then someone will hold the neck. There’s so many styles!

Devan: Yeah, like the awkward mom hug where she pats you on the back and you’re like “Why are you patting me?”

Ella: Exactly.

Grammar Point

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Discussion

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Different countries have different ways of greeting people. In the U.S., people sometimes hug when they meet. In France, where Ella will soon be going, it’s more common to kiss on both cheeks.

Ella loves to hug, but her family comes from Thailand, and she says it’s less common to hug people you don’t know well in Asian culture. Devan thinks it’s hard to know whether you should hug someone no matter what culture they belong to. Some people like to hug everyone, like Ella, but others are protective of their personal space. Even for people who like to hug, there are different types of hugs depending on the situation.

How do people greet each other in your country? Are you touchy-feely, or do you need lots of personal space?

Comments

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ismaelccampos

Brazil

In Brazil we have different types of greetings, as shake hands, one, two or three kisses on each check. Depends on the State you live, because the customs are differents.

Ferike333

Hungary

In Hungary, with an acquaintance from the other gender you kiss on both cheeks and probably hug, the youngster like me 'trendily' kisses 3 times, dunno why. Girls usually greet their female friends with kisses, too, but boys are not likely to kiss on the cheeks or hug (but that's getting common among some people). We usually shake hands, simply. But all depends on age.

Thanx 4 this lesson

koxa

Ukraine

In my country people that have close relationships,friends or family,use the gesture like hugging.It's a sign of considerable respect and love to person you embrace.Also we use kisses in cheek when meeting with girls (women)...with men we meet at first time we always shake hands…so that's all.

phozia

Pakistan

well like Ella said, in Asian culture hugging’s not very normal unless you’re friends or family, but it vary from person to person..

Kas-ye

Yemen

Hugging give a good sense of the person I like so much

Ellen Jiang(China)

China

In our hometown,most of people are greeting others by say "hi" or "Morning" etc.To family members or the best friends ,they could throw their arms around them.Chinese people are very traditional and less time to hug or kiss others.

ra99ig

Jordan

dipi.vrk

India

lovely concept

rosendo

Mexico

la_kanasta

Mexico

As "Gwaks" said, it's almost the same here in Mexico than Brazil, I would only add that kisses in the cheek are also common between women, when they are close friends or family.

Gwaks

Brazil

Well. Here in brazil it is pretty common not only to hug the person but also kiss ones cheeks when the person is the opposite sex. However whe a guy is going to greet another they simply shake hands and maybe, if u guys r too close, a hug.

phamtran

Viet Nam

wow! I like hug very much. I want to do this with every one.

cheia

Philippines

well I like hugging than shaking hands only.<!~~-Session data~~->

cheia

Philippines

well like hugs than shaking hands only<!~~-Session data~~->

jhpb2004

Brazil

Well, I agree with CET. In Brazil, it's very common. I hate the fact Im so shy. I could take some advantage on it. As the last time i knew an girl on school, I did nothing, I just greet her with my hand. From that day til now, she never tried greeting me! Greeting the peoploe is a very good way to show you're nice guy. No doubt. :(

cheia

Philippines

unless I study,I won't pass the test.<!~~-Session data~~->

Colibri

Russian Federation

In Russia (girls already said about that before and it is for sure). hugging is not common, close girlfriends usually kiss on one cheek, guys shake their hands or just touch their shoulders, hugging mostly fore some very special occasions like meeting a family member after long missing or leaving for long time, or like giving the condolences or sharing some great events. As for me, even living now in US, it is still embarrassing when someone tries to hug me and when I can I try to avoid it:). People probably think that I am too closed person and don't want to get along with them, but in fact it is just a culture difference…thanks Ebaby and you guys from other countries for making it understandable, because it is really important to understand when you arrive in new country since I travel a lot.