A hug is used as a way to manifest our emotions. Whether you are happy to see the person or you do not wish to see them, you can identify a lot by a person’s way of hugging someone. Follow this article and know about how many different types of hugs are there and how to tell if a hug is romantic.
Hugging someone can tell a lot about your emotions at the moment. If you are happy to see someone then, your hug will last longer and it will be tight. But when you are not excited to see someone then, there is a probability that you will not hug them at all, even if you do hug them, your hug will be quick and light. This will clearly show that you are just being civil with the other person.
If you have a doubt that someone’s hug means something more than you think. If you think that the way they hugged you was not friendly but romantic then, you can try to understand the signs behind their hug. When someone is hugging you in a romantic way then, they would not leave you immediately. They would try to hold on to you and savor the moment.
Follow this article and know more about how many different types of hugs are there and how to tell if a hug is romantic.
Table of Contents
How many different types of hugs are there?
There are many distinct types of hugs that you must have experienced in your life. Some of the main types of hugs are as follows.
- Bear hug
- Cuddle hug
- Squeeze hug
- Resting hand hug
- Hugging from behind
- Catching hug
- Side hug
- Long hug
- Ragdoll hug
- Pocket hug
- Limp hug
- Twirling hug
- Pat on the back
- Back rub
- Fast embrace
- Heart hug
- Sneaky hug
- London bridge hug
- Polite hug
- Sloppy hug
Bear hug:
Bear hugs are one of the most usual hugs. It happens when a person opens their arms widely and they embrace you tightly. This type of hug is usual between friends and family and it is not necessarily considered romantic. But there is a probability that if a friend has never hugged you like this and they suddenly embrace you in a bear hug then, there is a probability that they hugged you like this to give you a signal.
Cuddle hug:
A cuddle hug is more intimate than a bear hug. It usually takes place after you share an intimate moment like kissing or after making love. This is a person’s way of showing you appreciation for their partner. This way you will let your partner understand that you really like them and there is chemistry between you two that no one can deny. Cuddle hug is your way of showing that your relationship is not only limited to having sex.
Squeeze hug:
A squeeze hug is a type of hug that is neither friendly nor romantic. When your friend squeezes you in a hug then, it can mean they missed you. Only your friends and family would squeeze you when giving a hug. This is their way of indicating how much they missed you or how glad they are that you are there with them.
Resting hand hug:
A resting hand hug is often considered romantic. It happens when a person rests their hands on your back, chest, or on your shoulders. This type of hug implies that a person cares about you, they trust you, and they like you. Resting hand hug often falls under the category of romantic hugs.
Hugging from behind:
Hugging from behind specifically falls under the category of romantic hugs. Your friends or your family would not use this type of hud, only your partner will hug you like this because it feels extremely intimate. It is a person’s way of showing their love for their partner. Most of the time, this type of hug will lead a person to kissing and cuddling.
Catching hug:
A catching hug is when you run towards someone and the other person catches you in their arms. This type of hug is excessively romantic. It takes place when you have not seen your partner in a long time and when you ultimately get to meet them, you will opt for a catching hug. This shows your care and that you were missing them a lot.
Side hug:
A side hug is an excessively casual hug. You will opt for this type of hug when you are around your friends or relatives. This hug will show that you are happy to see them and you are friendly towards them. This is not a romantic hug and it will not give a person any mixed signals.
Long hug:
A person will choose to hug you long when they really miss you and like you. This will hold on to you, the hug will be tight, and their hands will rest on your back. This is not necessarily a romantic hug, it can also be a friendly hug, but there is a probability that someone who likes you and fancy a relationship with you, will hug you long just so they could hold on to you for some time.
Ragdoll hug:
A ragdoll hug is a one sided hug. It happens when a person hugs someone but their hug is not reciprocated. The other person stays still, this shows that they are not really your friend and they are not looking forward to having any kind of relationship with you. This is one of the most unpleasant hugs you can ever experience.
Pocket hug:
A pocket hug is a romantic type of hug. It is an explicit indication that the person you are hugging is comfortable with you and they also feel the same way as you feel. The pocket hug is when your partner puts his/her hands inside your back pockets while you are hugging each other. It is one of the most romantic hugs.
Limp hug:
A limp hug is also one of the most awkward hugs that you can experience. It takes place when you or someone you are hugging is not doing it for affection or care, you hug the other person only because you hugged everyone else. This shows that you and the other person do not really care about each other.
Twirling hug:
A twirling hug can be both romantic and friendly. It takes place when a person picks you up in the middle of the hug and starts to twirl you around. This can happen when you see your friends after a long time or when you meet your partner after a long time. This is their way of expressing their excitement and love for you.
Pat on the back:
A pat on the back is a friendly hug that you opt for when you are with your friends and family. It is also considered as a hug you give when you are consoling someone. You hug them lightly and you pat on their back. This is your way of showing your support and care towards your friends. A pat on the back is not considered as romantic.
Back rub:
A back rub is similar to a pat on the back. This is a friendly and supportive hug. You hug someone when they are sad or worried about something and you rub their back to make them feel calm. This hug is mostly used when your friend is going through some strenuous times and you want to calm them down.
Fast embrace:
A fast hug takes place when a person withdraws from the hug a little too quickly. This is also one of the most unpleasant hugs a person can ever experience. This might take place when you are just starting to date someone, they do not want to make things awkward for you, which is why they hug you quickly without making it look intimate.
Heart hug:
A heart hug takes place when your hearts are touching with one another. It means that your left side is connected with the other person’s left side. According to research, this type of hug takes place when two people are starting to grow affectionate towards one another. They are starting to care about each other and this is their way of connecting their hearts.
Sneaky hug:
A sneaky hug is one of the romantic hugs. This takes place when your partner sneaks up on you to steal a hug, this only takes place when both the partner’s are sure that they want this relationship, so this will be their way of taking a step further in their relationship.
London bridge hug:
The London bridge hug is the most awkward hug you can ever experience in your life. It takes place when they hug you but they are not standing properly, they are tilting so their waist will not touch yours. They are trying to avoid any form of physical contact with you. This type of hug is a clear indication for you that the other person is not interested in forming any sort of relationship with you.
Polite hug:
The polite hug is a type that you opt for when you are at a party or at your relatives house. This is your way of showing your kindness towards them and also making them understand that you are not too close to them and you are hugging them just to be polite. You opt for a polite hug when you do not wish to give other people any weird signals.
Sloppy hug:
A sloppy hug is a friendly type of hug and it is excessively usual between friends. It is a warm hug between friends that shows appreciation and care for one another. It ends quickly but it does not make anyone feel awkward. The sloppy hug shows that you are happy to see your friends and you are enjoying your time with them.
How to tell if a hug is romantic?
A hug can be both romantic and friendly. You just have to closely observe the type of hug you are getting and any indication of the hug being romantic from the person itself. Following are some indications through which you can tell if a hug is romantic.
- The way they hug you
- It might feel natural
- Intense eye contact
- It might get awkward after the hug
- Tight hug
- Blushing
- They play with your hair
- Placement of their arms
- You both are not eager to let go
The way they hug you:
The way a person is hugging says a lot about your equation with them. Whether they are hugging you as a friend or they are hugging you in a romantic way, the type of hug they are choosing will say a lot. The long hug, bear hug, squeeze hug, and twirling hug are all romantic types of hugs. When a person is hugging you like this then, it means that the hug is romantic.
It might feel natural:
There is a probability that when someone hugs you in a romantic way, you will feel safe and protected in their embrace. It will feel natural and easy. You will not be awkward with them and everything will fall into its position when you are with them. It will feel like you have been hugging each other like this since the beginning.
Intense eye contact:
Their eye contact will be excessively intense with you before and after they hug you. They will try to convey their feelings and emotions through their eyes. This will be their method of telling you how much they fancy you and how much hugging you means to them.
It might get awkward after the hug:
When someone hugs you romantically then, there is a high probability that you both will feel awkward after the hug. You will feel like this because you have never hugged each other like this and now when it happens, you cannot help but feel awkward. You will try to avoid eye contact after the hug and you will try to change the subject immediately.
Tight hug:
The hug will be tight and long, no one will be in a hurry to let each other go. You will take your time with each other and try to convey your feelings and emotions through the hug. A tight hug is a way of a person showing you how much they missed you and they care about you. When a person hugs you tightly then, it indicates that they have feelings for you.
Blushing:
When a person hugs you in a romantic way then, it is natural for you to blush. This happens because when you also have feelings for someone and they hug you in a romantic way, you feel shy around them. You will start to blush and avoid eye contact with them. This shows that it was not a ragdoll hug and you also have the same feelings as the other person.
They play with your hair:
When someone is hugging you in a romantic way then, they will not just hug you but also play with your hair. If you pay close heed then you will know that they start playing with the tips of your hair and inhaling your scent. They will try to prolong the hug as much as they can.
Placement of their arms:
A person who is hugging you in a romantic way then, their hands will not be rigid. They will place their hands on your back and your head. They will keep their hands on your back and their arms will be tight around you. This is their way of indicating how much they missed you and how much they like you.
You both are not eager to let go:
You both are holding on to each other for a long spell of time and no one is eager to let go. You both want to hold on to each other as much as you can. You both feel affection towards one another and this is your way of conveying your feelings.
Conclusion:
When you hug someone, it is your way of telling them how much you have missed them and the way you hug a person clearly indicates your equation with them. Whether you like them or you are simply being civil with them, it is shown in the way you hug them. When you are just being civil with them then, you will not hug them tightly but when you really like someone, like your friends, family, and your partner then, you will hug them tightly.
You can clearly indicate if someone is hugging you romantically or not. When someone really likes you, they will hug you tightly and they will prolong the hug. When someone is hugging you in a romantic way then, they will hold on to you and savor the moment as much as they can. This is their way of showing your importance in their life, how much they like you, and how happy they are when you are with them.
