Dear Queenie,
I’m a middle-age woman who doesn’t like being hugged, especially by non-relatives, but I have one friend who always hugs everybody when she meets up with them. I’ve asked her not to, I even told her it hurts my back, but she still does it, even with all the COVID social distancing.
Queenie, how can I get her to stop?—Fed-up friend
Dear Friend,
Your friend seems rather self-involved and disinterested in other people’s feelings. When she comes toward you for a hug, put out your hand to stop her and remind her about COVID social distancing. It might also help if you have something heavy and/or sharp in your hand when you hold it out. And if she still tries to hug you, cry out in pain and tell her – loudly – that she is hurting you.
