IF YOU HUG HER, SHE WILL EAT YOUR PANCREAS!!!

You know, at Mensa events they give everyone a little sticker to put on their name tag. You have 3 choices:

1. Hugs Welcome!
2. Ask First
3. No Hugs (or hugs with the circle/line symbol)

Lets everyone know where you stand. Kinda dorky, but it works.

See, I *knew* that with my penchant for melodramatic retellings, I'd make an F2F sound like Tailhook, and it is SO NOT.

No, not Tailhook. I guess I was just surprised to hear a few people talk about feeling overwhelmed or freaked out, especially when among friends. I would think that would be unusual so to have a few people say that, it just makes me wonder. That, plus the concerns over locking pictures from the F2F. Not that the fun atmosphere is bad, but maybe not for me.

The larger part is reconnecting in a tangible way these people I only get to exchange bytes and fonts with. You learn so much more about someone seeing their face light up when they talk about their kids or their job, or seeing their eyes burn when you talk about ex-FACs or ex-Bosses.

This part sounds like fun and is what I've always figured F2Fs were mostly about. Sometimes I think that age and parenthood have just made me serious and staid. Which is fine, I think.

eta: I thought I'd better add that my post came out sounding more serious than I intended.

I don't know if I'd do so well with the groping at a F2F. I can do hugs and leans and light snuggles, but anything more personal would likely result in unpleasantness. Though I could probably be persuaded into light pecks.

This is me, and I did fine at the LA F2F with exactly those boundaries.

I just had an epiphany here--I tend not to enjoy loud bar scenes, like a typical hotel bar at a writers conference, or typical noisy dance party or club scenes, despite being a person who likes music, dancing, and having a few drinks with friends.

It's the noise.

For some reason I have a harder time than average picking out one thread of noise from a crowded, echoing room. I guess it's not easy for anyone, but I can't, and I know I must be worse than most people because so many people have been surprised and frustrated at my lack of ability to understand them even when they're practically shouting into my ear.

That's why gatherings like that stress me out so badly, and why I'm fine with noise when I'm alone, or when there's no expectation of conversation. Like, baseball games are fine because the only time the ambient noise is too loud to talk over is when you wouldn't want to be talking anyway.

Don't know why it took me so long to realize it, except maybe that I try to so hard to avoid such gatherings because I don't enjoy them.

I remember meeting Deb Grabien and her saying "I don't hug!" and it was good to know in advance.

Not that I'm a big hugger without having to force myself to hug when appropriate.

There are times that Windsparrow does not want to be hugged, and I'm getting pretty good at the signals.

My developing rules for all hugging activities are "wait, watch or inquire if unsure."

98% of the time is hanging out in smaller groups for excursions and whatnot that are grope-free (was there groping at The House on the Rock???)

No gropes that I recall seeing. A lot of goggling at the displays.

I mean, if you really don't want to take chances, just announce "Do NOT grope me!"

Or you could wear a red button!

I don't think anyone groped me. Although Juliana did straddle me.

But what would grope-friendly people wear?

Candy bras, of course!!

Tries to picture candy bra as an accessory over the dress(es) I wore to the Prom. It's definitely a distinctive look.

I guess I was just surprised to hear a few people talk about feeling overwhelmed or freaked out, especially when among friends. I would think that would be unusual so to have a few people say that, it just makes me wonder.

For me, those feelings are not caused by touching/hugging/groping. They are caused by an introverted need to not be surrounded by a lot of people. Sensory overload with all the talking and energy and pretty and shiny and people.

Tries to picture candy bra as an accessory over the dress(es) I wore to the Prom. It's definitely a distinctive look.

That's because there is no candy bra that will cover your lovely rack.

For me, those feelings are not caused by touching/hugging/groping. They are caused by an introverted need to not be surrounded by a lot of people. Sensory overload with all the talking and energy and pretty and shiny and people.

Me, too. Has way more to do with the sheer number of people than the actions of those people. I get that way at extended family functions and there is NO groping or kisssing there cause ew.

That's because there is no candy bra that will cover your lovely rack.

I'm seriously blushing. My rack thanks you for the compliment.

But yeah, those things really aren't intended for the D-Cup and above crowd, huh?

Guess we'll just have to let them remain on the chest of certain Miraculous types.