A step in the right direction

Zheng Yuchao (www.gmw.cn): For thousands of years, the Chinese have always valued etiquette and amenity, but in recent years, people are losing the close relationships between each other. In this money-worshipping world, living in a vacuum of care, tolerance, understanding and compassion, people gradually get used to indifference. As a result, they are surprised at this expression of warmth and unsure how to deal with it. They find it is difficult to accept free hugs and even believe this campaign will be harmful to morality.

It's absurd to connect free hugs between strangers to "pornography and sexual harassment." Maybe people's excessive anxiety results from the cold surrounding environment that makes compassion and care so strange. To be kind to others is a virtue and also the common responsibility of all. Why are we so reluctant to show kindness to others?

The "free hug" campaign means to arouse people's sense of social responsibility. It has nothing to do with "pornography," so why should it be rejected?

Deng Haijian (hlj.rednet.cn): Resear-ches show that children who are hugged and caressed often are more psychologically balanced and have a better-developed personality, and this is also the same with adults. Unfortunately, "body language," this magnificent term in psychology and sociology, is being demonized. As a result, we are slipping into a dilemma: We feel so lonely and unsafe that we hope to be loved by all; yet we tend to reject communication, trust and kindness. We are frightened by the mere thought of getting involved with strangers. Is it true that we don't need hugs? Why are we so passionate about pets? Why do we sympathize with a wandering cat more than vagrants in the streets? Why can't we hug human beings who can understand us better?

Free hugs among strangers seem a bit ridiculous, but only such an exaggerated behavior can melt solid ice. Like smiles, hugs can also spread among the people.

Wu Chen (Foshan Daily): Nowadays, there exist invisible but solid communication fences. People become quite cautious when mixing with each other and in most cases, they choose not to get involved with others unless with ulterior motives. As for those who used to be hurt because of their openness, even a smile is questionable. Given this serious trust crisis in Chinese society, it's natural that "free hugs" will be questioned and misunderstood. We don't think all those who are skeptical of this campaign are underestimating it, but they seem to have overreacted to this new phenomenon and need to be more tolerant.

The hugs are given by strangers free of charge, to show affection and care. When most of us are ready to cuddle kiddies and puppies, why is embracing an adult criticized so severely? It's true that hugs alone cannot relieve people of stress, neither can they offer employment opportunities or educational allowances, but they can brighten up people's lives by encouraging mutual trust, understanding and support. Anyway, "free hugs" do not mean to hurt anyone. Even if you can't accept them, please be tolerant.

Zhao Jun (Kunming Evening News): The "free hug" campaign does not force people to hug anyone they meet on the streets, but it means to stir up the sense of kindness in people. It can be regarded as a public welfare-targeted performance, which anyone may watch or participate in. It's hoped that people may benefit from the hugs, but if not, there is no need to scold or criticize the campaign. One or two hugs between strangers are incapable of removing indifference, but "free hugs" offer two inspirations: First, at a time when almost every child is warned against speaking to strangers by schools and parents, everyone is thirsty for love and care; second, Chinese society needs to open up to allow more interaction among people. Hearts can be far away from each other or as close as they wish to. A hug is no more than a way to shorten this distance. To tear down the invisible fences that separate people is the common aspiration of all.