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Started in 2004 and popularized by nerds at conventions across the globe, “Free Hugs” have been the latest random act of kindness to sweep the world. Whether it be t-shirts or signs, people advertise the enticing offer of “Free Hugs” and, surprisingly, the masses accept …with open arms.

Out of the hundreds of thousands of people at Comic Con, it’s hard to go a couple of feet without being privy to this phenomenon. Even booths are getting into the action, selling “Free Hug” t-shirts.

Today, I wrangled a “Hugger” just to see the motivation behind the movement; the drive and the reason to offer physical contact to perfect strangers. I found it was a little bit of comedy and a little bit of love.

First off, what Inspired you to make the sign?

Hugger: Free hugs are free for a reason. I find the whole “Free Hugs” thing to be kind of intensely creepy in a nonspecific way, and yet people still seem to offer them – and, presumably, take them – so I figured it was time to cash in. Literally.

Walking around the convention floor, what has the reception been like?

Hugger: (Laughter) Which was the intent, honestly; this sign was basically a joke writ as large and pitch-perfect as I could make it without going completely overboard. I am the most modest man alive.

That, and a lot of people want to know what each particular hug offering consists of; the “organic free-range hug,” for instance, which is $4 (service fees may apply), is a hug where I let you know I’m from San Francisco while the hug takes place.

Do you feel like you’re giving up your personal space?

Hugger: Not yet! Actually, this is a question I’d ask one of the really cute girls with the “Free Hugs” signs that I see wandering around. What’s going on with them?

What is the craziest thing people have asked regarding your sign?

Hugger: There was a guy yesterday with a deep tan, a lot of hair gel, and what I think was a Hollister t-shirt who wanted to know what a “bro hug” was. Really, brah? Did you not get the membership packet?

What does a “creepy hug “ consist of?

Hugger: I think I would have to tailor them individually, but one thing I’d do is take a page from Ryan North’s Dinosaur Comics (qwantz.com) and do the following:

1. Hug

2. Gently rest my chin on the huggee’s shoulder

3. Whisper into their ear: “That shirt looks good on you. It looks good on your body.”

That’s five bucks’ worth of creepiness right there.

Since you’ve taken a different spin on this “free” phenomenon and listed prices for various upgrades, what do you want to use the money for?

Hugger: If I make any money from these hugs at all, it’s going into something ridiculous that I haven’t even thought of yet. Or, if I’m feeling lazy, booze.

Words by Bob Suicide, photos by Dustin Downing

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