Free hugs?
A few weeks ago we could see in Barcelona a group of people anouncing free hugs. A lot of persons went there, got their pat on the back and went home. Some of them told this to their friends with an enthusiastic tone, other just hid it with an embarrassed look. But, in the end, does this really help? I mean, do you really feel better after hugging a complete stranger?
I always look at the people in the metro and I see their sad faces, their worries written with wrinkles and I always wanted to do something for them, like make them smile at least one. I wanted to found an ONG to help “metro folks” smile, or something. First I though of putting a poster at the metro entry with “Free shoulder to cry on”, but then I thought that maybe no one would come, because they would not trust. Maybe I wouldn’t trust either. So I gave up waiting for brilliant idea, not that risky.
I thought of things that use to piss off the passengers, like the delays of RENFE here in Spain. It seems they never come on time and people are getting really tired of this. I thought of a poster with “Free complaints about the delays of the trains… If they won’t listen to us, at least we’ll laugh together”. It seemed risky to me as I don’t know the laws in this country so I’ll have to wait a bit. Maybe this would have made them smile, at least once.
So, what can be done to make them smile without forcing them to pay the ticket with smiles? I’m sure that they all have issues they are worried about, we all have, but it’s quite sad to travel by train or metro. Let’s not forget that in specific moments, if not every day we’re converting into “metro folks” and we’re all sorry about the other “metro folks”. So, solution? Smile more, so the ticket will cost less 
Sim, I think those free hugs might be helpful at a certain point. Imagine someone who has had an extremely bad day, tired, disappointed and with no available friends to talk to. Maybe such a person would need a hug more than anything. It is the “I care” statement that we choose to believe in. The human closeness that we lack at times. That is why a complete stranger’s hug might do wonders.
As for the metro folks, yes, we all shoudl smile more, stop looking so sad, tired and hopeless. It is all up to us in the end.
Alina Popescu
22 Dec 06 at 10:25
Happy Bday citric-family girl:) Check my blog when you get the chance
Alina Popescu
23 Dec 06 at 19:24
I like the Free hugs idea and I think for 2 seconds it would be helpful.
But more importantly, I wanted to tell you HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! You should know you get many kisses and hugs from me as well.
May all your wishes come true!
Cristina Banu
23 Dec 06 at 20:00