[Cadaverous Pallor]

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.