It
was jaw dropping, two American men embracing on the front steps of a house in
North Dallas, Texas, on a Fall day in 1970.
I
grew up in the 1940’s & 50’s.
Men did not hug. We did see
it among the French in those picture magazines such as Life and Look. It probably started here in the here in
the 1960’s, but I did not see it. Medical
school, medical residency and the U.S. Army shielded me.
The
etiquette of the masculine hug, unlike the handshake remains vague, and at
times I hug without reciprocity and at times with embarrassment.
Last
week, however, we were awash in unrestrained hugs from men and women. It was a reunion for our residency
program. From over 350 graduates
100 of the most eager huggers returned.
Between sessions it was a veritable hug-in. I now embrace men embracing men. It do it, and I am sorry that I missed the 1960’s!
