I remember when Pat took me for my first ever trip to Hawaii.
In preparation for the trip Pat gave me the rundown on social interactions in Hawaii.
Pat: Everyone hugs there.
Me: Why??
Pat: Because we’re family…and you hug family…it’s just a way of greeting people.
Me: I don’t hug MY family.
Pat: Well you should. People are gonna hug you in Hawaii.
Me: But I don’t even know them.
Pat: It doesn’t matter. That’s just how it is.
Me: What if I’m not a hugger…I don’t even like to hug…it’s awkward.
Pat: It’s not a big deal.
Me: I mean…if I hug you when I meet you, and then see you again the next day…do I hug you again??
Pat: You’re over thinking it.
Me: Well I can see giving your brother and sister a hug…do I have to hug their kids?
Pat: Yes Kathy. They’re all family.
Me: What if one of their kids has a significant other with them, do I hug them too??
Pat: Are you kidding me right now?
Me: Well I think I should know!! I mean WHO ALL am I supposed to be hugging? Do I hug the pilot?? Where does the hugging end??
Pat: They’ll probably stop hugging YOU right away, cause your whack.
Me: If I hug you at dinner do I hug you again after dinner when I’m leaving??
Pat: Probably…
Me: Two hugs in one night??
Pat: Is that a problem?
Me: It’s just…I’m not a hugger…that’s a lot of awkwardness for me.
Pat: Well it’s the Hawaiian way so get used to it.
Me: You guys are weird.
Pat: Well I think you’re weird. Why can’t you hug people??
Me: I can hug people!! In…say…an emergency or something…I just don’t hug excessively. Hawaiians sound like excessive huggers.
Read about my experience in The Hugging State of Hawaii here.