kewpid.net

“What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dear­ness only that gives everything its value.“
 — Thomas Paine

Hugs are spe­cial. They provide com­fort in times of need, and express joy fol­low­ing tri­umph. And it is their rel­at­ive rar­ity that gives them that value. That works out well, because our pas­sions and emo­tions are rarely at those highs for very long.

For my gen­er­a­tion how­ever, those hugs are doled out without a second thought – they are lit­er­ally free.

I find this a little troub­ling, because these actions provide a ven­eer of rap­port and camaraderie over what are really very shal­low rela­tion­ships. If a hug is just a way of say­ing “hello”, how do we express real intim­acy? Not with kisses, because guys are end­ing their text mes­sages with them. Is it symp­to­matic of an instant-gratification cul­ture where we try to fast-track bonds of affin­ity, and in the pro­cess des­troy the worth of those relationships?

Call me a cold bitch if you want, but I find the excess­ive touchy-feelyness of other young people quite icky. Harden the fuck up people, and save hugs and kisses for when they are actu­ally warranted!

XOXO