January 27, 2007 - Julien and I gave him a hug and he let us take his photo., originally uploaded by PutYourFlareOn.
While taking a stroll near Hotel de Ville, this guy caught my attention. Actually, I spotted him from a distance taking this lovely photo of the Hotel de Ville basking in the setting sun. We headed over to see what was going on. In the middle of the capharnaüm going on in front of the Hotel de Ville we see this guy peddling free hugs . Most people pass him by without glancing at him. A few look confused asking, "Mais qu'est-ce que c'est un HUG??" and a couple bystanders give in and go and get their free hug. As did Julien and I... we were his first 2 1/2 person hug. When asked why he was doing this he just said "Comme ca...J'aime bien donner des câlins"
I responded, Ca tombe bien, moi aussi... :)
Check out this video on Free Hugs. And an interview with the guy who started the Free Hug Movement.
The guy was on Oprah this fall. I also saw a couple of people in seoul, Korea with the signs. I wanted to hug them but I didn't want to freak them out with my migukness. I wonder how they did in PDA unfriendly Korea?
Posted by: Tracey Ramey | January 28, 2007 at 23:58
that's great! there was a thread on this in rbj. one of the posters did it at her uni and got a great response!
Posted by: cyn | January 29, 2007 at 01:33
He's kinda cute. I think I'd take a free hug from him. ;)
Posted by: Jessica | January 29, 2007 at 03:36
hurray for hugs... I spotted one of these guys in Union Square in San Fran. love it.
Posted by: NessieNoodle | January 29, 2007 at 06:04
haha
That is too funny.
I saw him on Oprah but would have just killed to see all the French people looking at him sideways. ;)
Posted by: frecklegirl jess | January 29, 2007 at 06:50
Wow, now that is an interesting idea for Paris. That's so cool!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 29, 2007 at 07:38
I would be afraid to do this in New York City...but anywhere else with free hugging is just peachy with me!! What a nice pick me up...the video made me a little teary. :0l
Posted by: Mlle Smith | January 29, 2007 at 08:01
i LOVE that he's doing this in Paris of all places!
Posted by: philippa | January 29, 2007 at 10:55
This isn't the same guy as on Oprah. This fella is really handsome and I'd not mind giving him a free hug at all :-)
Posted by: martina | January 29, 2007 at 23:34
Love the charming man's idea, LOVE his jacket, with that funky argyle sweater just peeking out from underneath.
Posted by: Blythe | January 30, 2007 at 07:01
I love this pic too - what a great idea! It would've been so funny to see how all the Frenchies were reacting to it, being a non-hugging nation and all.
Posted by: samantha | January 30, 2007 at 10:51
I'm looking for this exact guy! Have you seen him again in Paris?
Posted by: Suzy | August 25, 2007 at 01:21