In Reply to: hugging posted by rambutmerrah on Thursday, 13. July 2006 at 03:14 Bali Time:
i think for a start indonesians are a touchy feely group.. its not uncommon to see women or men holding hands or hugging each other when walking down the street. this doesnt mean they are gay .. .(not that there's anything wrong with that, as in the words of jerry seinfeld)
I remember, and sometimes do, hold my females friend hand or arm when walking in a mall here in jakarta, im no lesbian.. but i basically i do this to feel safe, when in a crowded area.. its just common nature to indonesians. I'd never do it to a female friend in aussie, or they will think im queer. :o)
However about the hugging part, i do agree, i have never seen them do it to strangers, especially when trying to sell something, it would only be that they might already know you, and they'll take it as hugging a friend.