I have this whole idea of how amazing hugging really is for people. Like..I have this one friend who gets mad a lot and I insist on hugging him all the time even if he tells me not to and punches me when I try. Because I think that like when your sad and someone hugs you it may not solve anything or even make you better at the time but subconciously it totally did make things better. It just feels like someone loves you, so even if they don't want to be hugged and are repulsed at the very idea it just means they need more hug
Hugging, I have found, is a very personal and emotional thing. It really displays tenderness of affection and closeness. If any of us go through a very difficult and trying situation, a hug (a REAL hug) is pretty much body language for saying: "I don't know what to tell you, but I'm feeling for you and I'm here for you"... If it's a happy occasion, a hug is like saying: "I'm so happy for you, I'm sharing your joy!" And it also gives the huggers, if it's part of a regular greeting or whatnot, it's like "You are a really special friend and I love you alot"...
It's something that draws me to people and it's also a great barometer of one's heart, in my opinion. Words say one thing, but a hug really tells much about one's personality... like whether that person genuinely likes you or not. Some people find it hard to hug, maybe as part of culture or whatnot, but you can usually tell..
and found out the other day that it is a proven point that babies who get hugged and touched more often when they are younger do better in life because they were shown that affection.