A comment or two will be greeted with warm hands.

24 March 2008

A Stranger gave me a HUG

Summary: Juan Mann gave me a hug not knowing whether I'm HIV- or HIV+. Best of all, he didn't charge me. Its FREE!
Post inspired by Yitken.

There is this video Voted as:
#23 TOP FAVOURITE of all time.
#33 MOST RESPONDED of all time.
#35 MOST VIEWED VIDEO of all time.
#52 MOST DISCUSSED of all time.
Its the Free Hug Campaign Video.

Free Hug Campaign Pioneer, Juan Mann had been giving free Hugs since 30th june 2004. From then on, its was a phenomenon. From Sydney to the whole world, It inspired people from different race, different ethnic, different background to be part of something that is heart-warming.

Even my brother and his buddies did a 1day YitKen Free Hug Campaign in the Curve, Msia on the 9th of December2007.

This is how it all started according to Juan Mann:
"----I'd been living in London when my world turned upside down and I'd had to come home. By the time my plane landed back in Sydney, all I had left was a carry on bag full of clothes and a world of troubles. No one to welcome me back, no place to call home. I was a tourist in my hometown.
----Standing there in the arrivals terminal, watching other passengers meeting their waiting friends and family, with open arms and smiling faces, hugging and laughing together, I wanted someone out there to be waiting for me. To be happy to see me. To smile at me. To hug me.
----So I got some cardboard and a marker and made a sign. I found the busiest pedestrian intersection in the city and held that sign aloft, with the words "Free Hugs" on both sides.
----And for 15 minutes, people just stared right through me. The first person who stopped, tapped me on the shoulder and told me how her dog had just died that morning. How that morning had been the one year anniversary of her only daughter dying in a car accident. How what she needed now, when she felt most alone in the world, was a hug. I got down on one knee, we put our arms around each other and when we parted, she was smiling.
----Everyone has problems and for sure mine haven't compared. But to see someone who was once frowning, smile even for a moment, is worth it every time." [Source]

It's funny how a little hug makes everyone feel good;
In every place and language, it's always understood.
And hugs don't need new equipment, batteries or parts.
Just open up your arms and open up your hearts.
---- Jill Wolf

Hugging is all natural: it is organic, naturally sweet, it has no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients, and is 100% wholesome.
----Sharon Lindsey

I manage to take a photo with Juan Mann.
[Photo taken on 20th march 2008]
[This guy is Tall. If you watch the video, you'll probably notice that he is the tallest person among everyone caught in the video]

If this post makes you happy, do vote for my Happy Moment [Click here to Vote]
[Rank5 = 5 star = good] [Rank1 = 1 star= bad]
[You can vote as many time as you want. Voting closes on the 8th April 2008]

18 comments:

curryegg said...

Wow... that photo really great!
Tall man... ;)
And free hugs.. it remind me of that conference... ;D

And hey 3point8!
I've applied for the entrecard. Thank for introducing me... Dropped my card on ya... ^_^

Quickening said...

Oh hey hey hey! I was at the Curve on the day the crazy Free Hugs guy. I thought he was trying to pull some hidden camera lawak jenaka gimmick, until I read about it in the Star some weeks later.

That was your bro? :o
Holy wow! Please pass my belated hugs to him and his pals! :D

-popjammerz- said...

wah i like the quotes and poems~
really tall la..

free huggies..
i know a quote on a smile

A smile is just a simple curve which set things straight~

it's a strong weapon, you can even break ice with it.

:)

Tekkaus said...

Yupe! Don't neglect! =) Free hugs for all!

Anonymous said...

Nice :) Never heard of him

Jillian said...

I never heard of this movement, but it sounds awesome!

Mᆆ said...

i *heart* hugs

3POINT8 said...

[curryegg]
My pleasure.
I'll be sure drop on your EC everyday!

[Quickening]
Oh? you were at the curve the other day? Do they seem suspicious when you see them?
Btw, my brother is doing fine. I'll pass your virtual hug to them

[popjammerz]
Hehey. Senyum adalah garis lengkuk yang meluruskan segalanya. I love that quote!
Btw, are you all gonna do a free hugs thing in that conference?

[Christopher]
Free hugs for all! I love the sound of it

3POINT8 said...

[Julian]
Juan Mann is quite a popular figure in youtube. It was a craze a few years ago! It still is even until now.

[Jillian]
This movement is awesome! I'm glad to have spread about it to someone.

[Mᆆ]
Me too!

Chee Ching said...

Omg you're already so tall, and yet you look so short compared to him omgomgogmogmomg.

LeangFM said...

eee..
that day at nuffnang trafficjam didnt hug me also
hehehee

Linora 'Aronil' Low said...

I want a huggie too!!! :) But... um dunno if i'd want one straight of the street

Anonymous said...

[chingy]
Yes! This guy is freaking tall! When u walk pass the street, you can clearly see him with the FREE HUG sign.

[mc_bone]
You gave me an idea! The next time I go to a blogger gathering, I'll make sure to bring one FREE HUG signboard. What do you think? ood idea?

[aronil]
*with arms wide open*
There are more gatherings to come. I'll be anticipating then :P

-popjammerz- said...

that conference?
definitely will hug each other at the end of the day..
but nope~ won't be doing free hugs outside...

yah..shoud implement that on promotion for other stuffs next time!!!

wah u stil rmb ur malay.

3POINT8 said...

[popjammerz]
Ah...i see i see. Sounds like a happy conference. Do snap some photos ya!
About that quote. Haha, thats coz an important someone said that to me once. I even posted about it in one of my post @ here.

LeNgLuiLiNg said...

the video touching.... see ppl hugging each other...really can feel the warm...

baggie said...

I think i saw ur bro tat day, i was in Italiannes makan then i saw this group of ppl offering hugs outside... :P must be ur bro n his friends... well honestly speaking, this campaign is very good, it actually could brighten up one's day.. BUT at the same time, our culture here is abit narrow minded, so I kinda doubt it if it works... hmm......

3POINT8 said...

[lengluiling]
Yaya. When I was there, I can feel that kind of aura, even without speaking nor touching anyone.

[Calvin's Wife]
Malaysia is starting to open up to these kind of stuff. Apparently alot of ppl, especially students did this in their College/Uni.