NTs: What do hugs feel like?

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Apparently they feel good to NTs? I don't get it. What's it like?

Like warm apple pie

Do you mind clarifying what you mean?

Are you an NT? I couldn't see your brilliance.

Like warm apple pie? I don't think I'd like to get caught inside one of those hugs.

What do hugs feel like? I just realised this is a thread for NT's to answer but I thought it might be insightful to offer an Aspie's point of view about hugs.

USELESS - what for? A hug? Comfort from another human being? Why? What purpose does it serve? No one ever really loves you. If you become too much trouble, they'll drop you like a hot potato so why would you want a hug from that? You're fooling yourself if you think those who hug you really care about you. Hit them for $100 dollars and see if they still want to hug. Priorities! People have priorities and I guarantee you, money will be first on most people who want to hug you's agenda!

I don't care for hugs. They're superficial and mean nothing. I believe they're supposed to be pleasant but to me, it feels more akin to a wrestling match. I just don't get it. I've done it but it feels weird to have a human in your arms. Why?

I've seen plenty of blank stares in the past because I don't understand a cuddle. I hug like a giraffe. Big rounded arms, patting on the back, no sincere feelings (unfortunately) and have no idea why this is going on. I feel so uncomfortable. I hate being so close to a human but I do know it's a positive and any positive these humans can show is good.

I am NT, but I'm unsure what you mean by brilliance

Hugs feel great if they come from somebody you love, otherwise they are just one of those things you'd rather be without.

I would like to be enlightened as to what NT is short for?

Hugs feel great! I got so many hugs from so many wonderful people in my life over the last couple days.

NeuroTypical, as in "normal" brained people who are not on the autism spectrum and don't have any other neurological differences/diagnoses.

I interpreted this to mean: "Your answer seemed kind of dumb, therefore I am wondering if you are an NT", implying that NTs are incapable of being brilliant. It was both a jab at your intelligence, and NTs in general (if I read it right). Edited to add: it just occurred to me that ImAnAspie may not have understood your symbolic answer and wondered if you were NT because you chose to use this wording. Sorry, ImAnAspie if I misread.

I am also an NT. The best way I can describe hugs are an exchange of energy of sorts. If you are upset, a hug from someone you trust can make you feel more calm and safe. If you just really like someone, it is a way of feeling their essence (can't think of a better word) at a deeper level. Most NTs I know do not like hugging people they don't know or like too much. I generally don't like to be touched at all by anybody I don't know or like.

Last edited by Fitzi on 26 Dec 2014, 1:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Oh! That makes sense. I heard of the phrase "neurotypical," and I know the meaning of it. But I wanted to be sure that NT were its initials. Thank you.


By the way, I think hugs are great but only when its with a familiar person. It was odd hugging my first ex-boyfriend for the first time in my life a year ago.

The difference might be minimal, but it seems like many neurodiverse people want a much closer relationship with somebody in order to want to hug them. In the extreme case, they only want to be hugged by their romantic partner. I'm much like that, but I also enjoy hugging my daughter, and I can tolerate (but don't really like to) hug somebody that I like in a more platonic sense. I definitely won't do social hugging.

Hug FYI's:

The hedgiest person I know is also on the spectrum. He hugs his family, friends, coworkers, regular customers at work etc. He once told me that I give the best hugs. I take that as a huge compliment seeing as he's a very very experienced hug giver/receiver.

So, there you have it, if you want to experience the best hug, you'll have to come see me.

I don't think she meant to insult me, I've had some nice interactions with her in the past

If she did, that doesn't bother me. I'm not insecure about my intelligence or anything like that anymore

Instead of hugging people, I prefer to try to pick them up.
That feels like hugging too, with more effort.