Saturday, December 20, 2008
Life Hugstitutes Plague Eugene
Posted by Dan Savage on Sat, Dec 20, 2008 at 11:06 AM
I would've called the cops when I was assaulted by high school students offering "free hugs," not free yard work.
She and other leaders rounded up more than a dozen students to offer free hugs at the Nov. 15 Oregon-Arizona football game at Autzen Stadium. "We'd seen it done on a YouTube video," she says. "It's awesome: giving total strangers hugs. That's spreading love." Hertel estimates some 2,000 hugs were provided at no charge.They decided Random Act 2 would be offering free leaf-raking in neighborhoods near Sheldon: seven girls, one guy, eight rakes. Then, unexpected resistance: "When we told one lady what we wanted to do," Hertel says, "she said, 'Go do your random acts of kindness somewhere else.'"
Another woman thought the group was trying to burglarize her house. "We said, 'No, we're from the Random Acts of Kindness Club; we just want to rake your leaves.'" The woman wasn't convinced. She called the police, whose log for the 11:12 a.m. report is headed, "Suspicious Subject(s)." The police arrived and interviewed the "suspicious subjects."
The people of Eugene can be grateful that the kids at Sheldon High weren't taking their inspiration from XTube, I guess. But still: what's with the "free hugs" meme? Do people ever pay for hugs? Are there hugstitutes working street corners in Eugene?
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2
It's either Christianity or Ecstasy. These are the sorts that become Moonies. The obvious solution is to wear a t-shirt that says "Free Slugs" and casually mention that you are packing a pair of gold-plated Desert Eagles. You can hand out tracts, you can say I'm going to hell--but for the love of God, don't fucking hug me.
3
Back in college, I lived off campus in an "art house" where people tried to do all kinds of cool things.
One time we had a "Free Sale" -- reminiscent of the Fugs from Berkeley. We put all our used stuff out on the street and put price tags of "Free" on it. There was even some furniture and things inside that were tagged "Free".
A woman neighbor came inside, sniffed around and declaimed "yeah, some stuff is free -- but that's only because they want you to buy other things!"
No good deed goes unpunished...
Back in college, I lived off campus in an "art house" where people tried to do all kinds of cool things.
One time we had a "Free Sale" -- reminiscent of the Fugs from Berkeley. We put all our used stuff out on the street and put price tags of "Free" on it. There was even some furniture and things inside that were tagged "Free".
A woman neighbor came inside, sniffed around and declaimed "yeah, some stuff is free -- but that's only because they want you to buy other things!"
No good deed goes unpunished...
6
What's up with the 'meme' meme? It's the most widespread meme online. If Slog starts pushing steampunk or crafts, or kitschy retro video game artwork, I'm done with reading blogs forever.
7
Hmmm, Dan Savage, gay man who is not only not into being hugged, but who actually shows distaste for the act itself. Sorry buddy, but you lose your gay card.
8
The free hug thing is like many other "socially responsible" acts -- like Bush asking kids to send dollar bills in after 9/11. It's about making the do-gooder feel better without actually having to do good. Rake the leaves in some neighborhood? How about volunteering at soup kitchen instead?
9
I grew up in Eugene, and you had to fend hugs off with a rake back then.
(I am a serial hugger, however.)
(I am a serial hugger, however.)
11
I don't remember the last time I got a hug, but it's probably been a few years. I sure could use one.
12
This is not new in Eugene. There is a group of students who have been offering free hugs on the UO campus for at couple of years -- or, they had been when I graduated in June. They're nice. Maybe they're really just perverts, but sometimes it is nice when you're having a bad day.
13
It's not just a west coast thing...I'm currently attending uOttawa and these campaigns go on here from time to time.
I like the concept, I just hate the fake 'ass out' hugs...if you are going to hug me, please, do it gooooood!
I like the concept, I just hate the fake 'ass out' hugs...if you are going to hug me, please, do it gooooood!
14
I've got nothing against the freehuggers, but I do wish their median age was a bit older than 15. I want a hug I can properly eroticize.
15
My friends and I had Free Hug Friday in high school. Yeah, we were totally drama geeks. But it was pretty hard for our Catholic school administrators to come down on us for "inappropriate displays of affection" when we were offering equal-opportunity hugs.
16
I don't know who started it but I know it's international. Last time I was in Tokyo there was a Free Hugs sign (in English) near Yoyogi Park. Pretty soon these people are going to be as omnipresent as the Peruvian pan flute bands. Perhaps they could work together - free hugs, CDs for $10
17
Equating hugging to love is annoying at best ......
What could really possibly come from touching a total stranger?
Don't.touch.me.
What could really possibly come from touching a total stranger?
Don't.touch.me.
18
I go to university in BC and we have an official Free Hugs Club (of which I am a member) that receives funding from the student society. We are not hug rapists, we never force them on anyone. I don't see what everyone's all upset about - if you don't want a hug, don't walk up to one of us with a sign and hold your arms open. It's not difficult. Just keep on walking by.
19
Sorry, Kay, but free huggers should be expelled—from the country, not just school.
I've been approached by marauding bands of free huggers, and when I've declined been asked, "What is WRONG with you? It's just a *hug.* Geez!"
I tell 'em I only hug members of my immediate family or people who have sucked my dick or are about to suck my dick. "And you're not a member of my family, so... that leaves you one option if you want a hug out of me."
I've been approached by marauding bands of free huggers, and when I've declined been asked, "What is WRONG with you? It's just a *hug.* Geez!"
I tell 'em I only hug members of my immediate family or people who have sucked my dick or are about to suck my dick. "And you're not a member of my family, so... that leaves you one option if you want a hug out of me."
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