While riding our bikes at the beach on Saturday, Gabe and I passed the "Hug Deli" and were instantly intrigued. As I mentioned here, this isn't the first time I've witnessed people giving away something unusual for free on the Santa Monica beach. But there's something about a hug that seems so much more personal to me than free advice. In contrast to the free advice station, the Hug Deli was flourishing, with people lined up down the beach to receive their free hugs! After receiving their hugs, they couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces. The Hug Deli has an extensive menu of bear hugs, warm & fuzzies, gangsta hugs, and awkward hugs (Vince Vaughan from Wedding Crashers comes to mind) and the "payment" is to pay the hugger two compliments. Research shows that those who have human contact and people they rely on live longer, healthier lives than those who isolate themselves. Maybe the Hug Deli is onto something. How would you feel about a stranger hugging you in exchange for a few compliments? Would you welcome this gesture?
photos via facebook
44 comments:
That's a cute idea :) You just don't see things like that around here!
Awww, that is SO cute!
Everyone needs a hug once in a while. I wonder if you asked for a refund, do they return the compliments?
Everyone needs more love in their lives. What a wonderful idea.
ok seriously - i'm putting up a "hug hut" @ my house - gonna station that bad boy somewhere - just FABULOUS! - *man* i wish i could come up with this stuff!!!!
*kiss kiss*
Erika
~Tiptoe Butterfly~
Aww this is sweet! Did you line up for a hug?
awesome pics of it - that is hilarious and fun! did you get a hug???
and your comment on my rings made me laugh :)
i love this idea, i saw a "free hug" video on youtube a while ago & it almost made me cry!
Haha!!! That is so cute!!!! I haven't heard of this but it's such a great idea! :D
I love that....We all need more hugs:)What a fun idea:)
Kisses sweetie and hugs:)
Muah
I LOVE THIS!! So adorable.
This is a very sweet post! I don't know if I want strangers approaching me and wanting to hug me, but with friends and family members, a definitely yes :).
Omg Valerie! This sounds unreal!
I'm so glad you guys stumbled onto this! Perfect Monday post!
xx
Nikki
This is hilarious!! Only in Santa Monica! Love it!
This is amazing. And you've ACTUALLY been to a place that I HAVEN'T!? Tee hee : )
Wow, this is so interesting and fun! I personally, don't think I'd take a hug from a total stranger, but I do like the concept and can see how it makes so many smile. Did you try it?
xo Marcie
hahaha you always find the most interesting spots! THis is great.
http://jammer10am.blogspot.com/
They sure think of everything, don't they?? ;-)
Cute idea! Spread the love! hehe
How sweet! I'd line up for a hug if I came across a deli like this. :)
This is adorable!!! :) xoxo
So let me get this straight: strangers doling out hugs? I don't think I'd do it. There are some crazies down there Val!!! Did they try to rush you for a hug?? Did you give them one/take one?
happy monday (she says with lower caps)
-carrie
OMG how fun is that! Adorbes :)
Hope you're having a happy Monday! xoxo
That's pretty cool...if I might add! I am going to start a dollar deli - everytime you pass, you drop a dollar in the jar...What do you think? Will it work?
XXOXO
Kiki
that is so funny!
i'd be scared of getting lice or something but...
still. so cute.
Ooh nice idea. Would put a smile on a lot of faces.
Love the idea! But I'm really awkward about hugs in general (even from close friends); so I would definitely have to pass on getting one from a stranger!
Hugs instead of sandwiches! Clever idea! Love it!
it is for reasons like this that the west coast will always be the best coast in my opinion. if somebody set up shop as a hug deli on the east coast, it would be vandalized or laughed at in five seconds flat.
funtastic post luv.
smiles,
gina
What a cute idea I would have had to stop as well and check it out!
Awww, so sweet!! When I was at Purdue, the Compliment Guys got started. They liked my boots.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/education/edlife/compliments.html
I think Oprah did a show on a guy who gave out hugs for free. There may even be a YouTube video. (Isn't there a YT video for everything?!) Yeah, I don't think I would do it, but in theory, I think it's great. There's lots of lonely people out there.
Hope your week's off to a great start, Valerie!
xoxo,
Bren @ Chasing Beauty
I feel like this would weird me out slightly, but it's such a sweet idea!
www.indramaticfashion.com
This is SO cute. A little bit odd, maybe, but such a fun and sweet idea!
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com
what an absolutely fabulous idea!
xo
super cute Valerie. Hope you had a great weekend. I am back to reality here :(
What a great idea! It's so happy. I love it.
P.S. I prefer L.A., so I think you made the right choice!
Awww cute! Were they strangers giving hugs? Or you get to the front of the line and hug someone you know?
hmm...I could be game for that! everyone needs a hug :)
xx,
anna jane
http://seejaneworkplaylive.blogspot.com
that's crazy cute! There are so many times when I just want a good hug, it's the little things in life!
What an interesting idea! I would love to see something like that.
Definitely a sweet and quirky idea!
so cute!
So clever! I hope you got a hug.
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