Hugging
 

Interested in your opinions on this one and reflections as to whether it's a cultural or generational thing or something else entirely.
We received a formal complaint at work from a parent who saw a male member of staff hugging two female members of staff in greeting. We now have to officially investigate this complaint and make a formal report back.
How do you stand on this?
I work in a multicultural primary school btw.
I certainly have my own opinion but concede that I may be too close to be objective.

Re: Hugging
 

I personally, can see nothing wrong in this form of greeting.
If the people involved did not object, then where is the problem?
If the person who made the complaint is from another cultural background, it needs to be mentioned, that in our culture, this form of greeting is acceptable.
Why should we be forced to abandon practices just because they do not fit in with the culture of another ethnic group. I thought that multiculturalism meant that there was some sort of acceptance of the cultures of other ethnic groups......and that the cultures of diverse ethnic groups were to be encouraged.

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Agree with Margaret, if the complaint had come from one of the people involved then that would be different, but to complain because you`ve seen people hugging is a bit pathetic.

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It happens, it's what we do with friends, get over it or get out! :(

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Some people tend to see 'bad intentions' in everything. Makes you wonder what's in their own minds. Just saying.....

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I don't like the idea of a world in which you can't give someone a hug ...

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Did the females have any issue? If not then it's non of the observers business. That should be made clear.

You can pass opinion on stuff that impacts you, not what you see. Of you don't like men hugging women then don't watch. If you don't like gay people kissing, turn around. The world is far bigger than you.

Tell them to sod off imho

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Huggees were fine with the hugs. I'm hacked off with us having to formally investigate.

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I agree with all the posts above. Now here's a look from the "other" side. Does he hug all of the female teachers or just the cute ones? Does he hug the male teachers?
Maybe the two female teachers don't want to be hugged but are too "shy" to complain.
Maybe the parent wanted a hug so was disappointed.????? What a world we are creating.

Re: Hugging
 

Interesting the way the world has changed. When I was at school, you'd never have seen a male teacher hugging female teachers. In fact, hugging didn't happen except with lovers and family members. Obviously, though, times have moved on and the complaint is totally ridiculous.

Let us know what happens, though. My guess is, the school will back down and ban hugging so as not to offend "cultural sensibilities".

Re: Hugging
 

id tell the complainer to sod off but using words behing with F and far more colourfull

was it another member of staff because if it was id bring the person up for disciplinary action for been desruptive to teh working enviroment and moral and see how they like pathetic accusations and complaints

its just a pitty that spitefull and venemous creatures like the complainer get all the backing and you yourself would get in trouble for telling them what needs to be said to them

perhaps their mummy didnt hug them enough or tehir daddy or uncle hugged them too much

the stupid moron better not step foot in france them lot greet each otehr with a kiss and it would probbably give teh complainer a seizure

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Well I class Less as a very good friend but would not hug him:D:D

Re: Hugging
 

Giz a Hug

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The parent must be short of something to do or worry about, if all they have to think about is people having a consensual hug . He or she needs to get a grip( not in a hug obviously ) and get a life FGS its pathetic.............

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:cuddle::cuddle: There you go Frank:D

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You have to be careful though when you think about it in some parts of the world you can still be stoned to death for such public shows of affection, as wynonie said god forbid we should upset anybody's cultural sensibilities in OUR country:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:. I will probably now be called a blasphemer for bringing gods name into this:rolleyes::D

Re: Hugging
 

I can't see any harm in spontaneous hugs between adults if it doesn't offend any of the parties involved. What's a hug between friends anyway....it wasn't like what she saw was something taken from 50 Shades of you-know-what.
I acknowledge that it was at a school but really.....

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Nah WM221, we're all Jeezuzuzez, little sunbeams according to our resident fire & brimstone merchant, so surely he'd be happy with hugging. :D

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Not even a Beer stoked Manhug? :s_aim1:

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I feel better now

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Watch out the preacher man will be on this one in a bit

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Doubt it Frank, he's on the path of righteousness, no wanderings or turn offs allowed. Unless he wants to come hug us all in here. :)

Re: Hugging
 

This.
Ridiculous IMO. Where do you draw the line here?

I may sound a bit of a hippie here but more love/care/kindness does not do the world any harm, and no children are going to be scarred from seeing affection (if that's in any way part of the issue).

There was a rule at my primary school that pupils were not allowed to touch other pupils. No exceptions. If a friend was upset,you weren't allowed to give him or her a hug or even put your hand on their shoulder.

I thought it was horrible then as a 7 year old, and I still think It's horrible now.

Re: Hugging
 

He's a very tactile bloke and only hugs girls/women that he has a good relationship with. NONE of them dislike the experience and one in particular likes the contact (emotionally not sexually ). He doesn't hug the blokes but warm handshakes with left hand on right shoulder/elbow are almost an equivalent.

Re: Hugging
 

Group Hug?

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Sounds like that school in Croydon that banned hugs etc threatening detention for Huggers. Was it one we'd know?
I must say I'm tempted to organise mass hugging next week. With any luck, the message may get across loud and clear.

Re: Hugging
 

What's not to like?

The Huffington Post has some stuff on it.

Re: Hugging
 

That school was Calverley C of E school, Leeds district.

I hated the school anyway, not least because at that age I had long since decided I wasn't religious. But that rule! You weren't allowed to link arms with anybody etc.

I read about the Croydon school thing-ludicrous IMO.

Humans physically interact as part of socialisation, why that isn't common sense to some people I have no idea.

Re: Hugging
 

Some people won't stop moaning until we are all separated and women end up in purdah. What a petty, ridiculous complaint, obviously from someone not accustomed to the normal social interactions that we, in this country, take for granted. If they don't like it then they should keep their eyes to the floor or sod off. Simple. I think sometimes, some people complain because they know they're going to cause a ripple and also,just because they can.

Re: Hugging
 

Even I'd draw a line at that and I'm usually not picky:D:D

Re: Hugging
 

You see, the more I think about it, the more I get hacked off. Not so much with the complainant, after all parts are parts whatever their cultural disposition. The thing that gets my goat most is the systematic decree that even the most inane of complaints ( and this must be up there in the top 100) needs to undergo due process.
PC can stand for Pain n the Colon as well as politically correct.

Re: Hugging
 

So, do like the majority of authorities do, pay it lip service, make the right noises, then return a finding of no further action required.

Basically the complainer should wind their neck in, preferably so far that it ends up coming out their arse. That said, if they shove their head up their arse in the first instance, they won't see owt to offend them!

RESULT.

Re: Hugging
 

That's easy Jen, some people have no common sense.

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Good idea Frank, here you go, now pass it on... :cuddle:
And here's one for Dotti... :updown::cuddle:

I was going to suggest a group hug for the Accyweb clique if it still exists, and if I'm considered a member. What does the Grand Wizard think?

Re: Hugging
 

and Sue, Common sense isn't at all common.

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http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...px-KKK.svg.png

I think the Grand Wizard would go along with that as long as there ain't no coloreds, jews, wetbacks, etc. ... just good Christian, Republican white folks:D

On a more seriouser note, why is it that folks today seem scared shirtless of offending other folks? ... usually those others wouldn't be offended anyway. I don't suggest that we should go around insulting all and sundry; but we should be allowed to express ourselves as we wish, as long as we don't promote hate (the difference between hate and opinion is not all that difficult to spot) or break some law. In a world where people are starving, where they face off against one another with the best weapons money can buy, where anti-semmites still spew their hatred, where Sunni blow up Shiites (and vice-versa) ... I don't need to go on; y'all know what I mean ... what harm could come from a few hugs?:confused:

Re: Hugging
 

Marg P beat me to it, I was going to say yes common sense isn't a very common trait amongst humans.

I know, different cultures and all that but we're in England, in our culture contact and interaction involves touching people. Bullying is not going to be stopped by banning people of whatever age, from touching one another. Bullying control is in the hands of parents and other adult influences teaching =kids what's right and wrong.

Re: Hugging
 

Think you've got that spot on Eric. GB must be the worst place on earth that's obsessed with not hurting others feelings even if they wouldn't be offended in the first place, we're full to the brim with dogooders:mad:

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It's worse than you think. Many minorities are fed up with being singled out for inclusion by the PC brigade, for example they want to be taken seriously at work because they can actually do the damn job instead of being assumed to be there to make up an equal opportunities quota.

Re: Hugging
 

I work with a West Indian girl who was telling me last night how offended she finds the 'Baa Baa Rainbow Sheep' thing-says there is now an issue implied, that wasn't there before.

I'm pretty sure verbal and indirect bullying are as common as types of bullying that involve physical contact, too. Perhaps we should make kids be unable to talk to one another.

Re: Hugging
 

If i was officially investigating owt as ludicrous as this, i reckon i would come to the conclusion,that the best course of action,would be to humiliate the saddo who complained.;)

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Very publicly please

Re: Hugging
 

And from the Islamist state of Saudi Arabia:

BBC News - Saudi men arrested for offering free hugs in Riyadh

Religious police!!!!!!!! These guys are wackier than Kevin.

Somehow don't think they are like the English Church Police:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO0ZjJm-FPk

Big hugs everyone:D

Re: Hugging
 

It's political correctness gone mad. I've been in trouble a few times by calling a person "Love" mind you these were to a Male. Has for hugging that's between the "Hugger and the Huggee".

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I call a lot of people 'love' because at my age I can't remember their names!!!!

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I have that problem with names at 43 :rolleyes:

Re: Hugging
 

Hamneggs, write them this.

For the person that has complained about seeing a member of staff hugging other members - we have investigated this issue and have come to the conclusion that we would like to offer you a hug. this can be in private if you wish for it to not be seen by others however we feel that you must have not been hugged enough in younger years and are in need of a nice hug. :)

Whataplonka! hugging indeed.
The only thing it would be inappropriate for is if the buttocks were part of the hug :)