factoid

From a University of Florida study via Londonist: "Interested in cross-cultural differences in touching, Jourard watched pairs of people talking in cafes and coffee shops and counted the number of times that they touched each other in one hour. In San Juan in Puerto Rico the total number of touches was 180, in Paris it was 110, in London it was 0."

Tell me about it!

Brits are notoriously hyper-aware of other's personal space (although you wouldn't know it from the state of the tube at rush hour). Hugs are uncommon here and often awkward when offered, and the standard method of greeting here is a stilted half-wave, close to the chest. It certainly makes things a bit more difficult here, especially for a friendly, smiley Yank like me who proffers hugs easily. Much of the time here, I'm torn on whether to obey the silent but universal social codes of respect, subtlety, and hands-off socialising, or just to say "what the hell" and be my effusive, sassy self. I usually wind up being the latter, hoping not to offend.

photo via matt eason

It's certainly a world apart from my experience living in Europe 3 years ago. In Rome, you're greeted with effusive, drawled Ciaos!, often accompanied by inappropriate glances or ass-grabbing, depending on the social circumstance, and in France, you've always got the lovely double-cheek-kiss, which automatically brings you closer to an otherwise stranger. England has none of that, which is why I was thrilled at the FREE HUG DAY in Trafalgar Square a few months ago, when a group of about 20 people organized themselves in the square and held up "FREE HUGS" signs, joyfully hugging all the tourists who shyly approached them for a welcome embrace.

photo via simon-k


In other news, I'm the new London On the Cheap columnist for Londonist, so if you're looking for fun, free things to do in the city this week, read here.