as a lot of filipinos (and many europeans) may know, it is mandatory to hug and kiss relatives and family friends when you see them at a party, in the mall, walking down the street, during open heart surgery, etc. however, i have never gotten used to this tradition. i have a personal bubble that i would rather not be punctured by people’s open arms and puckered lips.

but try explaining this to your boyfriend’s family, who also do the hugging and kissing thing. instead of explaining my reluctance to express “how good to see you!” through physical contact, i simply go with the flow and just start hugging and kissing everyone in sight — men, women, children, dogs, foreign exchange students named pham trang… i become this hugging and kissing monster, my mouth shaped like a hoover vacuum and my arms flailing in every which direction.

why touch when a wave will suffice?