In Reply to: Hugging? How to deal with it? posted by Jane B on Thursday, 13. July 2006 at 00:58 Bali Time:
I can't count the number of times I've been to Bali and the only person who hugs me is our housekeeper/friend and that's when we're leaving and can't let go of each other. Other than that even regular, repeated acquantances through work that have become friends don't do this. I think sometimes people make the gesture like they might as an effort to conform to the western norm but I don't think this is something they're comfortable with. I think it's a marketing ploy for some people to try and "connect" and say "you're my friend". Not normal for Balinese to hug you when they meet you so tell your friends to rest easy! (Unless you're in the drag club Hulu, but then you're asking for it!)