At Bicon in the UK, the code of conduct requires that people ask before touching. People hug a lot there, but they nearly always ask (unless they know each other well). It doesn’t seem at all creepy because it’s a community norm.
I think it’s generally an excellent system. Once you’ve asked a lot of people an occasional no* doesn’t hurt. And generally, people haven’t seemed offended when I’ve said no to them.
*It’s important to remember that no doesn’t necessarily mean “go away you creep.” Some people don’t enjoy hugs.
At Bicon in the UK, the code of conduct requires that people ask before touching. People hug a lot there, but they nearly always ask (unless they know each other well). It doesn’t seem at all creepy because it’s a community norm.
I think it’s generally an excellent system. Once you’ve asked a lot of people an occasional no* doesn’t hurt. And generally, people haven’t seemed offended when I’ve said no to them.
*It’s important to remember that no doesn’t necessarily mean “go away you creep.” Some people don’t enjoy hugs.