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#Post#: 80090--------------------------------------------------
Being greeted with a hug from a professional
By: jpcher Date: September 24, 2023, 12:10 pm
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I'm not sure how I feel about this. I'm not really uncomfortable
with it, but I do find it a bit odd. I'm curious as to your
thoughts on being greeted with a hug from a professional.
This concerns my financial advisor. For a bit of background, he
was the FA for my MIL&FIL for oh, thirty years or so. I
inherited an account from my LDH when he passed away, so I've
been seeing this FA for 16 years now on an annual basis.
We are almost the exact same age (a few days apart), grew up in
close vicinity of each other, and have the same ethnic heritage,
plus there is the history of him with my in-laws, so our meeting
conversations have always been friendly, sort of personal and
chatty outside of financial discussions.
During COVID our annual meetings have been on-line. I recently
saw him in-person for the first time after COVID and I extended
my hand (as usual) but he wrapped his arms around me and said
"It's so good to see one of my favorite clients again!"
I was surprised but hugged him back. "Nice to see you too!"
We sat down and had our usual conversation, no worries.
But the hug felt a bit odd and unusual for a professional type
of meeting. I hope it doesn't happen again.
Maybe I'm over-thinking this. I'd appreciate any thoughts.
#Post#: 80091--------------------------------------------------
Re: Being greeted with a hug from a professional
By: Rain Date: September 24, 2023, 2:43 pm
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I hope it's a one off.
If he reaches for a hug again, you could tell him you're not
comfortable with it.
#Post#: 80093--------------------------------------------------
Re: Being greeted with a hug from a professional
By: DaDancingPsych Date: September 24, 2023, 6:58 pm
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From your description of the relationship, this hug seems very
out of place. I would be prepared next time to stop the hug. I
would probably not extend my hand for a shake so that I can keep
my distance. If he goes in for the hug, I might give a surprised
"Oh!" to catch his attention and then say, "I prefer not to
hug." Then I would just change the subject either to something
chit-chatty, "How is little Sally doing?" or to the job at hand,
"I'm anxious to get your thoughts on the tech investment."
If the next in-person visit makes you uncomfortable again, maybe
you could request an online meeting in the future?
My thoughts? I'm not big on hugs. I would think that it's out of
the norms for most professional relationships (even friendly
ones.) I do find it even more bizarre, because the finance field
tends to be even more conservation than others. But apparently,
you made quite the impression with him!!!
#Post#: 80096--------------------------------------------------
Re: Being greeted with a hug from a professional
By: holly firestorm Date: September 25, 2023, 7:07 pm
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Generally speaking, I agree it's not totally appropriate for a
business acquaintance. But, I can understand the hug in that
particular situation. You've been a client, and a friendly one
at that, for quite some time. He hadn't seen you in quite a
while DUE TO COVID. I think a lot of people had that kind of
emotional relief reaction after the pandemic was over. It was
probably just a one time thing. In the future, I WOULD extend my
hand...in such a way that it was obvious I was extending it for
a handshake, not a hug.
#Post#: 80103--------------------------------------------------
Re: Being greeted with a hug from a professional
By: Aleko Date: September 26, 2023, 1:41 am
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I’m with holly: it’s quite possible that there are a number of
long-standing and well-liked clients that are never going to
walk into his office again, and while to be sure hugging is
generally inappropriate in a professional situation, as a
one-off it’s totally understandable.
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