The free hugs thang

wow... I've never been to a First comp but i've been to anime conventions where people have had "free hug" signs O.o that could be where it's from.

[MikeyP]

Yeah we did free hugs in 2003 at all the regionals. It wasn't a huge hit, but we did it anyways. 2002 IRI is where it really kicked in. After that, everybody started doing it. When we saw people doing it in Atlanta, we knew we did it waaaaaay before you guys (NoUseForAName). And yet, I heard stories from like 2001 of people doing free hugs, so we are merely walking in the footsteps of our forefathers. :-)

P.S. Thanks forefathers!

[Ryan Dognaux]

I remember "Heyyyy" going on back at Nationals in 2002, my freshman year. After that it kind of died out and I haven't really noticed it since.

[Kyle]

Heyyyyyy has not died yet, in 03 at the team party that was all you could hear all night, I remember the heyyyy thread, it only lasted about 5 posts. I wont let heyyyy die.

[evulish]

I think 2002 was the biggest HEEEY year for Nats. I know my entire group of friends would just yell HEEEY at the sight of anything that even looked like a fellow firster I'm not sure if my team got into it that big any other year.

[MissInformation]

In 2003, team 686, Bovine Intervention had someone out in a cow suit offering hugs for moos... but I suppose since you had to moo for a hug they weren't free...

Heidi

[Alex Pelan]

It seems that free hugs have been around for long before we got here, and will be here long after we're gone.

It appears wikipedia has no information on the origin of free hugs either .

[Jeff Rodriguez]

Thank her for the free hugs.

[rocknthehawk]

i never get free hugs...i always have to pay for them....

hahaha jk

Yeah this year im thinkin of makin those signs saying free hugs. yeah free..no charge. lol

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

You will see me in the following hug attire this competition season:

GLR March 12 (only saturday I'll be there)
"Better Free Hugs" tshirt, no need for a sign

BMR March 17-19 and MWR March 24-26
Free Hugs Signs

Nationals April 21-23
Signs during comp, sometimes tshirts at hotel. Depends.

[Andrew Y.]

i never got a hug.......

[NoUseForAName]

so yea all of u say it started way back when but u just say that cause YOU did not start it......do get me started on how i dislike u people

[NoUseForAName]

u guys can make the signs but you'll just be taking MY great idea

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

This has already been discussed, NoUseforaName I'll reference you to the first few posts in the thread regarding hug history throughout the seasons.

These traditions are in good spirit, just like this thread is. I encourage you to take things with humor, and see that it really isn't that important who started or who claims to start it, but rather that hugs are a tradition in this program.

A question to be posed: what is the best way to get lots of hugs, besides just a sign?