Hugs.

I don't know if i've talked about hugging yet. Or more specifically to hug or not to hug. It comes up frequently when first meeting your host family, other host families you haven't lived with yet, and their families. It's awkward. Horribly uncomfortable. I think everyone has experienced it at one point or another.
Going in for the handshake...The spasm of hands, arms, and upper body flailing and flinching awkwardly and bobbing side to side trying to read the other persons body language. Realizing they intended to hug you and resulting with an horrible half hug/pat on the back.

Or what more frequently happens to me, which is even worse. Going in for the hug. I am a hugger. I like hugs. I think they're a friendly way to greet someone without overstepping the other persons personal boundaries. But Danes are weirdos. I go in for the hug, they stick out their hands, either i end up feeling like i'm smothering them with my overstepped display of personal affection or i quickly withdraw myself, placing my palm against theirs.

I have developed a hugging system, one that i feel is socially acceptable here. When you are first meeting someone, for example you're host moms' sister...you shake there hand. When saying goodbye you hug. And from then on the hugging barrier has been broken and you can feel free to squeeze away.

Sometimes it just takes a little determination. Sometimes all these Danes need is a little push. I think to myself No, we've met about 34617864826 times. We've had conversations. You hug all the other family members in the room. I am not going to be the awkward foreign child who gets the handshake. We are hugging. And you'd think that after initiating the hug over and over again it would begin to become a natural thing. But no, every time i am offered the hand.

To all those thinking of hosting an exchange student. HUG THEM. Hug them when you first meet them. You handshake with strangers, this kid is going to be a part of home. They are family the second they step into your house. That may seem strange, because yes they are technically a stranger...but i swear to you they will appreciate it.

Or maybe not. This is definitely a cultural thing. It's just how they are here. You go to Brazil and the give you kisses. And as much as i dread the awkward confrontation if they don't feel comfortable hugging me than i respect that.

There's this thing we do in my host family now too. When we greet the Grandparents. I've gotten okay at it but it's a little complicated. I'm not really sure how to describe it. It's a variation of one arm on a their side, the other on their shoulder...? i think, i'm not actually sure of the correct placement. Then you press each others cheeks together. Sometimes you make a kissing sound...sometimes it's an actual kiss but very rarely. I've always wondered if there was a correct side to lean it. Is it a universal thing that when this greeting takes place there is a specific side we must lean to? I think it's left. I'm not really sure. Which of course leads to me bobbing from side to side indecisively every time. I like it though. It's definitely not typically Danish.

That's all i have to say on the matter of hugging at this time.