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There's a kid, oh I don't know...about 17-23 standing on the corner with a sign that says "Free Hugs". He's located right in front of the fittingly named candy store, "Sweeties".
I've been watching him on and off now for well over an hour. It's difficult not to be cynical at first when you see this kid (especially if you happened to watch the movie "Crash" last night). You wonder, what's the catch? Is he gonna hit you up for some change after you hug him? Is he secretly filming? Is he somehow making fun of you? Does he have the flu?
But, like I said, I've been watching him now for a while and I can honestly say that he really is making people happy. I'd estimate that about one in every fifteen people or so takes him up on his offer. The majority, the vast majority, are women. All ages, from the pink jacketed teen to the Gypsy Angel in her black trench coat and scarf with her bag of refundable bottles. And once one person does it, others around also do.
This is what happens. Someone sees him from about 20 yards away. Their pace quickens as they make their decision, they signal to him that they want a hug. He smiles, lowers his sign, opens his arms, and they hug. Just for an instant. Two seconds maybe. The person walks away smiling. The kid smiles. The people around them generally smile, too.
Someone oughta buy him a pair of gloves.
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