Workplace hugs, or not

[SpartacusF]

Urgent question for you 'cos 'tis the season and all that - hug or handshake for my team as we break up for Christmas. I'm MD and am a chap in my mid-50s, and my 2-3 dozen staff are mostly women in their 20s and we have one big open-plan office.

[Stay in Bed Instead]

SpartacusF said:

Urgent question for you 'cos 'tis the season and all that - hug or handshake for my team as we break up for Christmas. I'm MD and am a chap in my mid-50s, and my 2-3 dozen staff are mostly women in their 20s and we have one big open-plan office.

Why would you do either?

I don't.

[toon10]

Know your audience is my opinion. I worked for the UK organisation for many years and a good handshake was the norm. Now I work for the Europe region and the team is made up of huggers and cheek kissers. Given us UK lot don't seem to know if it's kiss on one cheek, both or a left right left combo, all of our greetings and goodbyes are handled with a generic hug followed by uncomfortable shuffling afterwards. My boss hugged me for the first time today. Man, that was weird.

I watch my 18 year old and him and his mates are all about the bromance, hugs and fancy hand, chest pump combos. Back in my day (I'm 45) I'd have been considered a freak and given a wide berth.

[C0ffin D0dger]

I'd happily hug our office manger, not sure she'd be so keen though. Tread carefully #metoo

[Craig W]

MD you say? Surely it's a stern look and a "see you 8.30 sharp on the 2nd" isn't it?

[ambuletz]

why hug or handshake? this is clearly the right way to do it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9_Bd_qYcU8

[Sheets Tabuer]

Do not hug the women!!!

We have an office hugger and it is universally agreed he's a bit rapey.

If you do though assure them it's your mobile phone.

Edited by Sheets Tabuer on Friday 20th December 14:16

[Drew106]

Just a polite slap on the bum. Play it safe.

[blueg33]

Fist bump?

In reality for me it tends to be handshakes, there are a couple of women who will voluntarily hug me so I tend to go with the flow when it comes to them.

[alorotom]

The company I work for has a lot of huggers and every meeting starts with several hugs (m and f) ... I don't mind and play along. It's nice to be groped every now and then lol

[anonymous-user]

SpartacusF said:

am a chap in my mid-50s, and my 2-3 dozen staff are mostly women in their 20s

1. Polite wave and “have a good Christmas”
2. Firm kiss on the lips whilst grabbing both arse cheeks.

Only one of these options is correct, no half measures.

[SpartacusF]

Fab, thanks all, very funny and very true. Now it's kicking out time I'll go with the wave from the door option.

[Sheepshanks]

wormus said:

2. Firm kiss on the lips whilst grabbing both arse cheeks.

My wife's place had a bloke who did this at every opportunity and it was freaking out the youngsters - the older women had to speak to him about it.

[JuniorD]

If you are good looking, perhaps like George Clooney, go for the hug, I could make these bird's day, or even their hole weak!!

But you are not, definitely don't do it 'cos in five years time you'll be up on assault charges

[anonymous-user]

JuniorD said:

or even their hole weak!!

I would say that is too far...

[Hoofy]

Let them make the first move and indeed the entire move. What could be worst is you go for a handshake as she goes for a hug and you accidentally touch a breast due to bad angles, poor timing and height differences.

And now you're nervous.

[tuscan_raider]

5Cylinder said:

JuniorD said:

or even their hole weak!!

I would say that is too far...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Countdown]

SpartacusF said:

Urgent question for you 'cos 'tis the season and all that - hug or handshake for my team as we break up for Christmas. I'm MD and am a chap in my mid-50s, and my 2-3 dozen staff are mostly women in their 20s and we have one big open-plan office.

What did you do last year? If you didn't get any complaints then do the same again. If you DID get complaints then don't.

Now whilst I'm here.... it looks like it's going to rain, but it might not. I'm an MD in my late 40's - should I wear an anorak or stick with my woollen overcoat?

[ndtman]

OP in a few days time?

[anonymous-user]

ndtman said:

OP in a few days time?

Dead?