A Hug For The Record Books

British rail passengers are renowned for their indifference towards fellow commuters.

But that didn't stop 112 people, many of them total strangers, to set aside their usual cultural reserve towards fellow passengers at St Pancras station in central London as they set the Guinness Book of World Records record for the most people hugging for 60 seconds.

When I read an old article about this record, I thought to myself - I could easily break that record at any major Rotaract event. Heck - we had a 300+ person group hug at the Cultural Night at the Asia-Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference that I held in Sydney last year.

So I did a bit of research to see if that record still stood...

The city of Alba Iulia sits in the heartland of Transylvania. In the centre of the city there is a walled citadel, a former fortress with seven bastions in a stellar shape as you can see in the picture below.

In a story written by Guinness World Records Adjudicator Paul Kenny, he noted that what was clearest was the very deep and abiding pride that the local residents had in their city which is why, on May 29, nearly 10,000 citizens of Alba Iulia and its surrounding townships gathered in a circle stretching over 3.4 km (2.1 miles) and literally embraced their city. It was the largest group hug ever recorded by Guinness World Records.

The execution was flawless: weeks of advance television promoting the event; a white line painted on the ground around the outside of the walled area; hundreds of volunteer marshalls shepherding the arriving people into sections around the outside of the walls, and feeding their numbers back to a centralized counting station. Even the President of Romania, Traian Băsescu, took part among a mass of media and fans.

At the given signal, fireworks were sent into the air, the bells of the cathedral were rung, and Mr Kenny was on his bicycle to ride a lap around the citadel, ensuring that everyone was in formation and the hug was complete. So many people – young kids, high-school students, elderly folk, a group of policemen – in a circle nearly 3.5 km long all standing proud in support of their home.

The largest group hug was a symbol of something very special – home, pride, national identity, call it what you will – and the Guiness World Records judge said it was as moving and as wonderful an event as he had ever been part of.  

10,000 people hugging at once... now that is what I call a good day!!!

Hug It Out

A day in which hugs were exchanged, is a day worth having.

I am the proud distributer of hug cards which enable people to receive hugs on demand. The best thing about hugs is that the more hugs you give, the more hugs there are.

I am quite possibly the only person on the planet that owns a Dictionary of Hugs that has extra hugs that she created, defined and documented on paper and stapled into the back of the book.

Today I thought I would share two classic hugs from the dictionary - and I challenge you all to give one of these hugs in the next few days.

Cheek Hug

Easiest to give if the 'hug-ee' is seated. Come up behind the other person, lean forward placing your chin on their shoulder so you are cheek to cheek with them. Place hands gently on or arms gently around their shoulders and squeeze. Tender. Tasteful. Lightly given, it often has a spiritual quality.

(N.B. After your cheeks touch, smile and sigh - they will be able to feel the smile, and the slow deep breath you take when sighing can help relax them. Also, if hugging a female with a cheek hug, be careful of where you place your hands to ensure there is no accidental and awkward chest groping moment.)

A cheek hug can say:

• I recognise that you are feeling fragile.
• I care about you.
• May my genuine concern for you give you strength.

Side-to-Side Hug

Stand next to your 'hug-ee'. Reach one arm out and wrap it around their waist or drape it over their shoulders. Squeeze lightly. Also known as a lateral squeeze. A merry, playful aside. Use it while strolling together or waiting in line.

Listen to what a side-to-side hug has to say:

• Waiting around for gates to open is not a bit tedious because you're with me.
• Being with you makes me feel good - wherever we are.

So get out there and get your hug on!

Spread the love by spreading your arms!