"Juan Mann?" Please. The story reminds me of the office worker who would skip around the San Francisco financial district. Every time I saw her, I wished I had cartoon pants with a huge back pocket so I could nail her with an enormous cream pie or a huge reverberating skillet. Juan Mann, I think, rates the giant mallet.

There was a movie (didn't see it and can't remember the name) that talked about how people are so lonely in this crouded worl that the have accidents to meet someone else. I'm not sure I buy into that concept (as there are easier ways to strike up conversations like the line in the store (or DL of course!), online, at work, ect....

But perhaps this society does need more physical contact. I'm a guy, and have no problem hugging another man (oh, and I'm not gay), or another woman (and I'm married) in the right circumstance) and with people you know, and don't mind). It's not that hard to have physical contact.

But Hugging strangers is an issue. You don't know what they are doing it for, and that creeps me out!

I find the responses here interesting. I had no idea so many of you wouldn't hug a stranger.

Raving taught me to hug everyone - and no, not just because of the drugs. Hugging is the rave handshake. Although I suppose that once you know their name (even if it's a rave name) you're not strangers anymore. I'm talking real hugs here, not touching shoulders and patting lightly.

I've had to back off of the hugging thing in years afterwards because I know many people are uncomfortable with it. Hugging people you just met has a magical feel in it for me - the very simple show of "I accept you, I trust you" or rather "I accept everyone" - it felt very freeing. A real meeting, you know? A handshake feels like a formal curtsey in comparison.

My family doesn't do much physical contact, so it's hard for me to hug people I know, much less strangers.

Being hugged by someone I didn't know is the equivilent of someone standing too close to me in line. I don't mine my personal space being invaded by someone I know one bit, but if I don't know you, show some respect for cultural norms. Back off, buddy. ;)

I think there is a difference between a meeting hug and a random stranger hug. If I were chatting with someone and we exchanged names and they hugged me then my reaction would probably vary between, "Ok..." and "Wow what a unique and open person!" But if some guy on the street asked me if I wanted a hug in passing then I would probably suspect that he was trying to cop a feel.

I also wouldn't kick a stranger, though I'm fairly confident that most of the people you pass on the street need a good horsewhipping as much as they need a hug.

Maybe I'll start walking around downtown with a ruler asking everyone to hold out their hand. Or do the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have that covered?

They don't call him "Strangler" for nothing ;)

Ok, that I can agree with....if someone walked up and said "want a hug?" I might say no and walk away. I think it depends on what they look like. Not just in attractiveness but whether they looked trustworthy. But even then I'd hold my purse closely in the process and be ready to slap. :D

The guy with the sign - I'd run on over and give him a hug! Then I'd get a pic, even with my crappy camera phone. That guy is awesome. :D That's totally something I would have done in my early 20's.

What if he held a sign which read, "Cop a Feel?"

The thing is, I don't think he's *forcing* himself on anyone. So many of you are acting like he's just hugging people who don't want it. It's obvious that anyone who doesn't want the hug doesn't get one. I don't get why people are talking about kicking someone, or getting all mad over this. Makes so little sense to me, and honestly, I'm not a hugger.