I prefer only getting and giving hugs to close friends and family. It would be kind of weird if my boss came up to me and said “Good to see you! gives hug” I feel comfortable giving hugs to some of my coworkers, though… but a lot of them are like friends to me.
In my culture/lifestyle hugs are just a way of being friendly and acknowledging someone when they’re coming and going (saying hello or goodbye).
I’m not one for hugging someone who’s in a bad mood because I don’t know if the hug would be appropriate for the situation. I’d just wait until that person who is upset to initiate a hug. When I’m upset about something and someone tries to hug me, I never pull away but it always makes it worse.
Ah, but when someone gives exciting news, it’s always appropriate to hug and jump and congratulate. But the hugs still don’t make a difference in a situation like that. It’s just expressing excitement.
I strongly believe that hello and goodbye hugs have the most meaning to them.