Meghan says her informality was ‘jarring’: Why are some of us just not huggers?

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Personal preference “It’s different for everybody,” says Dr Audrey Tang, chartered psychologist and author of The Leader’s Guide To Mindfulness, who describes the four zones in which humans generally interact: public, social, personal and intimate. “It can lead to a sense of mistrust, because your boundaries have been crossed.” Upbringing can play a part, but not always: “Even if you’ve grown up in a family where touch is a very common thing, your own personal preference may simply be ‘I don’t like this’.” And in the case of some psychological disorders, physical contact can be very uncomfortable, Tang says: “It’s a very common symptom or behaviour for people on the autistic spectrum. Culture shock As for Meghan’s assertion that hugging is “really jarring for a lot of Brits”, in reality, the difference may be more down to background than nationality. “Especially now, I find myself asking that even more often, because some people still are concerned about social distancing.” This is particularly important if there’s a cultural difference to bear in mind: “If you are, perhaps, in somebody else’s area, it may be worth saying, ‘Do you mind if I do this?’ Or at least not take offense if somebody doesn’t hug you back.” And if you’re the one being approached by a stranger with open arms?