How to stop hug greetings

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mommy_k

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I work 2 days a week, and on my way into work I stop for coffee most times or go to this place during the day on break. I just get my coffee and leave. It is the only place I can go for coffee.

There is a table of sweet people there everyday who are intellectually challenged and live in a group home. Last year I gave them teddy bears as they saw I had one for my dd and they really seemed to like it. When I said it it was for my dd one or two started crying woukd not let go of it–so I let him have it and got the other people one too. Thier ages are about 40-70. They are independent and don’t have a caretaker…I guess they take the group home bus, but no one is supervising them.

They are now my best friends (smile ). The only thing is they all like to hug me every day…Sometimes they don’t look bathed. I have hugged them every day for a year now, and developed a bad rash last week on my arms from this i believe i need to stop hugging them, but I don’t know how to tell them without hurting them. I have told them I had a rash and I don’t want to spread it, I have told them when I was sick, and so on…they don’t care.

So I am stuck here. I can’t go anywhere else close for coffee, and would miss seeing them but I can’t hug them anymore.
 
mommy_k said:
I work 2 days a week, and on my way into work I stop for coffee most times or go to this place during the day on break. I just get my coffee and leave. It is the only place I can go for coffee.

There is a table of sweet people there everyday who are intellectually challenged and live in a group home. Last year I gave them teddy bears as they saw I had one for my dd and they really seemed to like it. When I said it it was for my dd one or two started crying woukd not let go of it–so I let him have it and got the other people one too. Thier ages are about 40-70. They are independent and don’t have a caretaker…I guess they take the group home bus, but no one is supervising them.

They are now my best friends (smile ). The only thing is they all like to hug me every day…Sometimes they don’t look bathed. I have hugged them every day for a year now, and developed a bad rash last week on my arms from this i believe i need to stop hugging them, but I don’t know how to tell them without hurting them. I have told them I had a rash and I don’t want to spread it, I have told them when I was sick, and so on…they don’t care.

So I am stuck here. I can’t go anywhere else close for coffee, and would miss seeing them but I can’t hug them anymore.
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Switch from a hug to a high five. I’m not kidding. It will work.

A “fist bump” and maybe even a secret " fist bump" would be an even better option.
 
Well, I love your posts, no criticism, but as we conclude this year of Mercy, but you could think of it as something similar to St. Francis himself, who hugged the lepers who no one would have contact with.
You have a wonderful opportunity to be Christ to these children of God.
Love you gurl!
👍
I love that you gifted them. How beautiful!
 
pianistclare said:
Well, I love your posts, no criticism, but as we conclude this year of Mercy, but you could think of it as something similar to St. Francis himself, who hugged the lepers who no one would have contact with.
You have a wonderful opportunity to be Christ to these children of God.
Love you gurl!
👍
I love that you gifted them. How beautiful!
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Amen.
 
You could go the route of my father in law, which is to stiff arm someone when they come in for a hug and then stare at them in awkward silence. It’s effective.
 
Binary said:
You could go the route of my father in law, which is to stiff arm someone when they come in for a hug and then stare at them in awkward silence. It’s effective.
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:confused:😦

She doesn’t want to hurt anyone I am sure
 
Hoosier Daddy is right, offering a high-5 instead of a hug will work. If anyone presses the point, just say you can only do the high-5 now, with no further explanation.
 
pianistclare said:
Well, I love your posts, no criticism, but as we conclude this year of Mercy, but you could think of it as something similar to St. Francis himself, who hugged the lepers who no one would have contact with.
You have a wonderful opportunity to be Christ to these children of God.
Love you gurl!
👍
I love that you gifted them. How beautiful!
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your kind words clare:)
 
It can be a bit scary though. I’ve known people to catch a difficult-to-eradicate mite problem from such contact, and one of the first signs is rash. As you say, there is indication of lack of proper hygiene in some of these darlings. It is a mite that naturally exists on skin, but if it proliferates, can cause health problems.
It can take a huge ongoing effort to eradicate.
Passed on by contact, and not a worry to some people, but certainly for those with compromised immune system, or older people, or anyone prone…
I hope you will get the rash checked out by a doctor who does understand the problem.
I’m sorry to put in this unwelcome thought, but I’d also be sad for you to leave an issue that can become extremely difficult to eradicate, (and to protect other family members from). A great deal of misery and a long fight is if left untreated.

God bless you for your beautiful kindness.
 
I’m so happy for you. This so amazing and inspirational. A blessing, indeed.

Remember that Jesus lives in everyone. Have you tried wearing a specific coat, jacket or windbreaker during your visits? Or maybe gloves and a turtleneck? Winter is coming.

Also, baking soda is amazing for rashes. Just mix some baking soda with a little water and apply it to your skin. You will get instant relief and it will heal faster.

Please don’t let your rash(es) stop you from meeting with these wonderful people. I’m sure they look forward to seeing you and will miss you terribly if you stop. As I know you will miss them, too.

👍
 
AussieTrish said:
It can be a bit scary though. I’ve known people to catch a difficult-to-eradicate mite problem from such contact, and one of the first signs is rash. As you say, there is indication of lack of proper hygiene in some of these darlings. It is a mite that naturally exists on skin, but if it proliferates, can cause health problems.
It can take a huge ongoing effort to eradicate.
Passed on by contact, and not a worry to some people, but certainly for those with compromised immune system, or older people, or anyone prone…
I hope you will get the rash checked out by a doctor who does understand the problem.
I’m sorry to put in this unwelcome thought, but I’d also be sad for you to leave an issue that can become extremely difficult to eradicate, (and to protect other family members from). A great deal of misery and a long fight is if left untreated.

God bless you for your beautiful kindness.
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Yes I will be going to the doctor for this next week if it dosen’t clear up. It’s just on my arms but extremely itchy. My coworkers have already told me not to hug for this reason as they go get coffee there too. Of course I didn’t listen:)

I am hoping it’s something else like an allergy.
 
KimberlyCat said:
I’m so happy for you. This so amazing and inspirational. A blessing, indeed.

Remember that Jesus lives in everyone. Have you tried wearing a specific coat, jacket or windbreaker during your visits? Or maybe gloves and a turtleneck? Winter is coming.

Also, baking soda is amazing for rashes. Just mix some baking soda with a little water and apply it to your skin. You will get instant relief and it will heal faster.

Please don’t let your rash(es) stop you from meeting with these wonderful people. I’m sure they look forward to seeing you and will miss you terribly if you stop. As I know you will miss them, too.

👍
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for this and i wear a coat now. I love how everyone here is so encouraging. These friends make me so happy because the smallest thing makes them extremely happy too.

Every time I see them, even if it’s 2x a day, they say “I miss you” and give me a hug. It’s a two second exchange…no conversation.
 
mommy_k said:
Thank you so much for this and i wear a coat now. I love how everyone here is so encouraging. These friends make me so happy because the smallest thing makes them extremely happy too.

Every time I see them, even if it’s 2x a day, they say “I miss you” and give me a hug. It’s a two second exchange…no conversation.
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Added bonus:

We Spanish have a pious belief:
My mother used to say that if you had befriended a mentally challenged or disabled person, that you should ask them to pray for you; in other words, the Lord loves them so, and they are so pure of heart, that He will not refuse their request on your behalf. :angel1:

Be well friend!
 
pianistclare said:
Added bonus:

We Spanish have a pious belief:
My mother used to say that if you had befriended a mentally challenged or disabled person, that you should ask them to pray for you; in other words, the Lord loves them so, and they are so pure of heart, that He will not refuse their request on your behalf. :angel1:

Be well friend!
Click to expand...
The Russians have a similar belief as well!
 
pianistclare said:
Added bonus:

We Spanish have a pious belief:
My mother used to say that if you had befriended a mentally challenged or disabled person, that you should ask them to pray for you; in other words, the Lord loves them so, and they are so pure of heart, that He will not refuse their request on your behalf. :angel1:

Be well friend!
Click to expand...
That is so beautiful…perhaps I will ask if they know any prayers.🙂

Thank u again clare I always enjoy your posts and help.:blessyou::
 
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