Last Saturday, I decided to go out to town here in Leeds, giving out free hugs to people.
I had no idea what kind of response to expect. I thought people might consider it weird. I thought a few extraverts here and there might go for the hug.
I ended up giving out over 200 hugs in one hour.
The preparation
I made myself a big cardboard sign saying “FREE HUGS” (on both sides). I also got a good night’s sleep, and picked a sunny day to give out the hugs.
Those were the easy bits.
The hard bit was gathering the courage, which took me about 3 months.
But I did finally did it, and it was one of the most extraordinary experiences ever!
Why I did this
I did this because I love sharing positive emotions with people.
I did this because it was absolutely crazy, weird, and interesting. I got inspired by this youtube video. (Worth watching if you haven’t seen it. It’s been watched over 40 million times.)
I did this because I was scared shitless about doing it. Because doing something you truly believe in, even if you’re scared like a puppy, is one of the most awesome experiences ever. It’s also the best way to build confidence, as I explain in another article.
People’s reactions
The moment I got off the bus, and started walking towards the big shopping streets, holding up my sign, I got passed by a group of teenage girls. They passed comments along the lines of “eewww, creepy!”. Not so great for the morale.
But I kept on walking, because I had decided to offer free hugs for at least half an hour, even if nobody accepted.
I got into the shopping streets, and started getting better reactions.
A few people looked puzzled, then looked up at my sign, and cracked a smile as they passed by.
I started offering hugs with the simple “Want a free hug?”. A couple of people said “No, thanks”, but they almost always cracked a smile while doing so.
Then the hugs started pouring in.
I gave hugs to guys.
I gave hugs to women.
Both young and old, though generally younger people were more open to getting a hug.
Once or twice I got randomly tackled by a group of guys all giving me a hug at once 😀
Some guys picked me up while giving me the hug (not that easy, I’m a big guy).
Some teenage girls just ran to me, sheepishly asked “Can I get a free hug?”, got the hug, than ran off giggling back to their friends.
About two dozen people in total took a picture of me. Sometimes just holding up the “FREE HUGS” sign, but usually hugging one or more of their friends while holding up the sign. They’ll have a great memory of this Saturday 😀
But my favorite huggers were the timid people. The ones who walked up from behind me, tapped me on the arm, and sheepishly said “err, excuse me, can I have a free hug?”. Or the ones I could see making eye contact but too shy to openly ask for a hug – so I offered with “Want a free hug?” – and they went for it!
I also loved seeing the smiles on the faces of people who passed by, even if they didn’t want a hug.
Here are some things people said that I can remember:
“I‘ll give you a hug, bro!” (and he did)
“Why are you doing this?” (some people asked this one repeatedly. They just couldn’t wrap their mind around the concept of doing something just because it’s fun.)
“I don’t know why you’re doing this, but it’s wonderful!”
“No thanks, not today.” (Response to my “Want a hug?”)
“Maybe another time.” (same as above)
“Come here, man!” (followed by a big bear-hug)
“Okay, I’ll have a hug!”
“Awesome idea, mate!”
There were a ton more great comments, but I can’t remember them now. But really, the greatest comments of all were all the smiles I got from people, even if they didn’t go for a hug or say anything.
Share the love
You too can do this. It took me several years from seeing the “free hugs” video to seriously start considering this, and another three months until I gathered the courage to pull it off. But I did it, and so can you.
And even if going out and giving free hugs to strangers is too much for you, you can still share the love.
A simple smile can do wonders.
So can a nice comment.
As someone said:
“Nobody needs a smile more than the person who has none left to give.”
Remember that when somebody is rude to you.
Giving out smiles and positive emotion is not like giving out money. Because you don’t lose out… the more positive energy you give to others, the more you will have yourself!
So share the love, any way you can think of.
Have a great day! *hug*
—
Update: After the overwhelming positive response, me and simply stephen have decided to put on a 90 Day Free Hugs Challenge, to get as many people as possible to experience the joy of giving out free hugs. The challenge runs from 1st July to 28th September 2009.
If you…
- love the idea of free hugs
- are scared like a puppy when you think about giving them out yourself
- love meeting other people who enjoy sharing positive emotions
…then the challenge is perfect for you!
Check it out – 90 Day Free Hugs Challenge.
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Maybe two years ago I was in one of our main shopping areas in town with my mom and a few other people, there were two or three college age guys across the street holding up signs like yours. We were all ready to just keep walking on the the next store, but she took off running across the street to hug each one of them, and together they managed to convince the rest of us that we needed hugs too. We didn’t stop smiling for about an hour.
That is so cool! I loved the video too. I wish we had one of you hugging the world!
fairyhedgehog’s last blog post..Write a novel in a year
@Katie:
That’s awesome, thanks for sharing 😀
I actually experienced that a few times – a single guy or gal ran up to give me a big hug, and their whole group, previously unsure, followed their lead and went for a hug too.
@fairyhedgehog:
Who knows, maybe in the future 😉 (no promises though)
That was so cool.
Here in India, we’ve have many a terrorist attacks and some communal hatred has been generated as well. Deeply disturbed by these incidents, multiple Academy Award Winning Music Director, A.R.Rahman has created a song titled Jiya Se Jiya (Heart to Heart) that promotes unity among people irrespective of their class, caste or religion. It was inspired by the Free Hugs Campaign and promoted through a video shot in various cities in India. Have a look.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwWfeiGErpc
There is absolutely no doubting the significance of touch, especially for spreading positive Energy.
Shrey Goyal’s last blog post.. Touch
Shrey Goyal’s last blog post..That Quizzy feeling…
nice one Vlad!
Greetings from Belgium
You rock young sir.
(And in case you were unaware, today’s Reddit logo is inspired by your story. Kudos.)
Josh of Cubicle Ninjas’s last blog post..We’re Hiring: Full-time & Part-time Design Ninjas
I really loved this “campaign” of yours vlad.
For the 1st time in many years I can see that after all people can be better than they are nowadays, they can turn to good people.
For many years ago I just casted my hope away that we, humanity, could possibly turn out the rising tide of hatred that has been growing a lot in the last years.
But after I saw the free hugs video and you actually told about your experience, I really want to punch myself and see that I was truly wrong.
This was a great birthday present from you vlad, making people see that they are wrong is sometimes gratifying.
Anyway, thanks for sharing this. Greetings from Portugal!
I saw once in my country, Singapore, some campaign going on that young guys and girls waiting at Orchard Road to give out free hugs. Being an Asian myself, I was being shy to walk up to them to receive the hug. At that time I don’t know the meaning of giving out free hugs.
Reading you article made me see this from another angle. It really takes you guys a lot of courage to do this. You are really awesome!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5EXGPa-Q3I
I will walk up to receive a free hug if I see anyone put up such sign in the future.
Pearl Lim’s last blog post..My first trip to Perth II
Awesome work, and thanks for sharing your experience. This puts a spring in my step.
Vlad, you continue to shame me. I saw this quite a while back and now I’ve decided that I’ll have to take it on as a challenge before the year ends. I’m exceptionally introverted…off the scale, unless I’m in my own environment or my “activism hat” is on and I’m expressing an opinion or trying to change the world.
What a great thing to do. I’ve sent it out to my 4000+ Twitter followers and asked them to retweet. That’s like my big hug to you. Hopefully, we can make a big wave. Thanks mate.
simply stephen’s last blog post..The Benefits of Planting a Vegetable Garden
@Shrey:
You’re right, I remember reading some research on how touch influences brain chemicals, like dopamine, endorphins etc.
The summary is this: Touch people. Or other living things. It makes you happy.
(On second though, you might not wanna touch people unsolicited :p)
@Josh:
Wow, I inspired a reddit logo? *mind blown*
@Johny:
Happy Birtday!
Also, if you think most people are mean… you might be hanging out with the wrong crowd, or watching the news too much. Most people in my life are “good people”, as you call them.
@Pearl:
Sweet!
Also, instead of waiting, you could gather a couple of friends and go give out free hugs yourself. Just a thought 😉
@Tom:
Cheers! It makes me really happy to realize I cheered up not only all the people I hugged and passed on the street, but also strangers from all over the internet. So… thanks to you too!
@Stephen:
Go for it, I highly recommend it! (And you wouldn’t believe how introverted I used to be. But let’s not get into a fight over who used to be more introverted 😉 Just saying – you can do it too!)
Cheers for the tweet, and a hug to you too!
I was about to go offline and thought no I am going to check one blog. I chose yours much to my benefit. I needed a smile and a hug. I felt hugged just by reading this. Good job Vlad.
Kelli’s last blog post..Access Denied
Awesome awesome stuff.
Love the idea of you just getting out there for the fun of it.
As you know Vlad I occasionally busk in the busy streets of Leeds with the juggling and unicycling tricks. On a sunny saturday afternoon the streets can be heaving with a real mix of people. Sometimes you get good comments, sometimes not, but being out and about talking to so many people is always fun.
keep up the good ideas
@Kelli:
Yeah, I know the feeling of having to check “one last thing” before going offline. For me, it usually turns into half an hour to an hour of browsing. :P. Glad you liked the post, though!
@Josh:
A friend of mine is organizing a charity collection on Sunday, involving busking etc., so I’ll probably do some juggling and stuff for that. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Hey Vlad…That is cool as hell. It takes alot of guts to do that and I applaud your effort. Awesome post.
Great post. I am glad that you were able to get past being uncomfortable. Thanks for the virtual hug.
Great stuff man, I have a lot of friends in Leeds so I would have preferred to do it somewhere else ;). Me and a friend did something similar in Cape Town where we must have walked up to about 50 groups of people and said “Hey you look cool, do you want to be my friend?” – Thinking about it now, that might seem a bit creepy haha, but it was designed to make people feel good.
Congrats man!
Glen Allsopp’s last blog post..Results: My 7 Day Self-Discipline Challenge
@Glen:
Weird, crazy, and a bit creepy. I like it 😉
Hey,
This is awesome man… and the video too…
But, when i think of doing it, i am already scared!
You have done a great thing to work on your courage which most people wont do…
Another article on courage, just some practical tips [i found it interesting i tried some of them yesterday]
http://www.liravaughan.com/2009/06/15/36-small-ways-to-build-big-courage/
Did that with some friends like a year ago 😛
Got plenty of hugs 150+ I think we counted it to 😀
Its great thing doing when you’re bored, need to meet people etc. ^^
Hey, this is pretty cool. 😀 Were you on Briggate? I’m in the city centre quite a lot but I must have missed you. D:
@Sansrid:
I’m generally not a fan of “Top 100…” lists or other big numbers, because there’s too much information, and you end up not taking any action. But if they’re all actionable steps, it can be very fun to challenge yourself to do EVERY SINGLE ITEM on that list 😉
@Exone:
Or, put simply, it’s great. 😀
@Emily:
Yep.
This is an awesome idea. Happy to hear that you grow more confident and happy by this experience…The positive feeling that comes over you should be really great 🙂
Elizabeth’s last blog post..Google Chrome OS
Great and congrats for breaking the barrier and bringing smiles to a lot of ppl.
zencontrol.net’s last blog post..Enjoy Happy Relationships – Avoid These 10 Things
Great post. I always like to hear about people who have the courage to put themselves out there to make a difference in this world. I just found your blog for the first time and I’ll certainly be back for more.
Hey, found this blog while looking around for Leeds blogs, and this post made me smile! I would not have had the courage to walk around Leeds city centre with a huge hug me board. Well done you.
Sometimes you have to come out of your comfort zone in life.
.-= Darren Cronian´s last blog ..Guide to five cheap hotels in Leeds =-.
Hi, my name is Mike Pickles. I am a Canadian teacher of 18 years. I absolutely love my career and the difference that I make in my student’s lives. It is truly incredible and I feel so blessed and grateful.
Recently I was published in a book called “Hug Someone You Love Today, And How to Leave Your Personal Signature”. It’s a collection of stories about how a hug can positively change one’s life. Its an empowering and life-changing book that everyone should read.
My publisher has asked me to produce a second hug book and I would love to have the opportunity to share one of your inspirational stories in my next book.
Thank you,
Mike Pickles
Author of “Hug Someone You Love Today”
mike_sabbie@yahoo.ca
Hi Vlad, I’m a new reader if your blog and I absolutely love it.
Your free hug post is Abolutely amazing. I totally love the idea of giving free hugs and I’m hoping I’ll can summon enough courage to do this one day too!!!
Cheers, June, and welcome!
Do post back here if you get around to giving out free hugs. I like to hear from other similarly crazy people 😉
Hi I’m thinking of doing tis on monday in Leeds as well did you have any problems with like police or whatever? i know some places are a bit funny about stuff like that.
No trouble whatsoever. Good luck, and let me know how it goes!
hey Vlad!! thanks for sharing such an amazing experience,, you are so awesome. I was thinking about doing the same,, and I was kinda scared as its weird,, so I googled IS IT TOO CRAZY IS GIVE OUT FREE HUGS and that’s how I found you,, and you seriously gave me the boost I needed. thanks a ton! 😀 😀
Hi Vlad
This Eddy from USA California. I truly admire your courage for giving out the free hugs and doing those random acts of courage. I leaned in life that each individual life has the potential of making amazing changes for all life and environment around you, all it takes is the willpower to do it despite all odds are against you. Remember, never give up in yourself and what you do because that’s what gives you the courage to exceed your social limitations to be who you are and make great changes!!!! Never forget that!!!. I am going to try the free hugs myself in a public park and see where it takes me. It’s good to see there is someone out there willing to make a difference. You can count on me for a free hug if I do see you in the streets. Thanks for all your inspiration! Keep up your good work because there are limitless possibilities in life!!!
{ 9 trackbacks }