I have not ever felt comfortable with the modern huggers. I endure it rather than cause a confrontation. More often than not, though, now that I've had 3 discs pulled from my neck and replaced with cadaver bones, it can hurt like hell and actually cause numbness down my arms when the hugger inists on emulating a hungry python. What am I supposed to do/say? "PLEASE-----BE GENTLE" ?? No, I think not. So I go with the flow, put my hand out for a shake and when that's not enough for someone, the ensuing hug will most likely be halfhearted at best.

Art Thieme