NY "Free Hugs" man who punched Canadian women Autistic

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In the last few days he has been fodder for the New York tabloids for punching a Canadian tourist in Times Square although his Autism has not been mentioned much. He has multiple arrests for similar behavior.

‘Free Hugs Guy’ arrested for punching tourist who didn’t pay him previously socked woman who didn’t want a hug

His mom indentified him in a 2013 New York Times article as autistic.
The Hugs Are Free, as Advertised, but Not Always Welcome

The thought of inviting endless amounts of random people to hug me makes me feel sick, but each to their own. Those sort of characters make cities more interesting.

But trying to force hugs on people, oh no, begging and trying to sell you things on the street is one thing, trying to touch you and invade your personal space in that way... great if you want a hug, if you don't and you're not really given a choice, totally not cool. I would most likely be assaulting him if he approached me!

I guess the rejection aspect of it is too much for him?

Punching people is wrong no matter what, if she didn't want to pay to do something showing affection in a relationship allows for free she doesn't.

First time I've heard about this... well, custom, I thought it must be some kind of sick joke. I come from a culture where such behaviour would be unthinkable and I like it this way...


"Hug me or I'll punch you" - good grief, using autism to excuse such behaviour makes me cringe. He's a brave one too, only hits young women...

"Free hugs", punches someone for not handing over money...?!

Yeah. I am also confused.

Why did she need to pay for something that was advertised as free?

The hugs were free, but he wanted to be tipped for the free service.

Creepy and gross. Interesting that both people he has attacked so far have been young women, too. I hope his parents are embarrassed, they obviously didn't do a very good job of teaching him extremely basic concepts like "don't punch people when they don't let you do to their bodies what you want". Just gross.

Asperger's is very different to whatever type of autism this guy has

If people take a photo of a hug, he then demands a $1 tip

Not really. I do not really have enough information to suspect anything about this guy but not all Aspies have touch sensitivies and many have problems with boundaries. This often has come up in support groups I have attended

Aspergers Syndrome and Offending Behavoir Exploring the links

Assesing the Sex Offender with Asperger Disorder

It would be unfair to label all aspies sex offenders and I hope this does not become the next negative stereotype. But if certain Aspies want to associate themselves with Einstien or Gates or use them as icons they got to deal with the reality that Adam Lanza was an Aspie and this guy plausably might be. And most importantly if you are an Aspie you are Autistic.