What a weekend. I got home from a 4-day trip last Friday, ready to enjoy a nice long Memorial Day weekend. However, my sinuses had a different idea for my days off. Friday night the aches began, and by Saturday morning, I had a full-blown sinus infection. Fuck. Well, as they say, the show must go on. I had lots of plans for the weekend; and, I was not about to let this ruin it. I just would have to become a druggie doped up on ibuprofen with a nasal decongestant back.
On Sunday, Jeff and I went out with the gang to see the excessively-hyped “Pirates of the Carribbean 3.” Arrrrrrggggh! When the gang showed up, we proceeded to go through our standard greetings, involving lots of hugging and dare I say… kissing. Now, I was fully prepared with a skull and crossbones warning about my sickness. “Beware maties….stay away from the dastardly and infirmed Pirate Lord Sir Tyler of the Castro!!” (Ok, so in reality I just looked like shit and they just knew to keep a distance. But, that was what I wanted to say…)
I love it that these friends are so lovey. I just didn’t want to be the one to get them sick. And, they were grateful, for the most part. One friend, who we shall call Juan, for the sake of this post, is the biggest kisser of them all. He’s the type that, when you aim for his cheek, will dodge around back to your lips. You will not deny Juan the kiss…on the lips. He didn’t care that I was the dastardly and infirmed Pirate Lord Sir Tyler of the Castro. It was sweet. I hope he didn’t get sick.
But, more importantly, it got me thinking. In my past, I have always avoided physical contact. Back in the day, I used to even avoid giving “frontal hugs” (as I called them) to girls. I could only hug them from the side. It just kind of grossed me out. Sorry ladies. My dear friend Jaclyn endured 4 1/2 years of “high-fives” because I didn’t want to be to gushy. Don’t worry, I now give her a nice solid “frontal hug” when I say goodbye.
I have another friend from work that, despite all attempts to dodge her, always gives me a big ole kiss on the lips. I swear that she has tried to slip me the tongue. Some people are just kissers.
So. Let’s take a survey. Post a comment and let everyone know if you are a kisser or a hugger, or how do you greet your friends? Be brave. If you have any wierd greeting rituals, let’s hear about them!
tyflyguy 
well. I am not Juan — I am let’s just say– I am part of your gang and you can call me Wichita.. Wichita R.R. As you well know, I am a huge hugger. I kiss and hug until the cows come home. I dont care how sick someone is.. I want some action. sometimes it can be overwhelming for non huggers ( whom I refer to human cats ) but oh well. Thanks for a very interesting blog and when are you going to write about your good friend Wichita? Love W.R.R.