The last ten years have seen the unstoppable rise of the “man hug”. It has quickly usurped the brisk handshake, yet I distinctly remember the man-to-man embrace being strictly the preserve of the criminal fraternity. When I was DJ-ing back in the 80s, most of the London clubs where I worked were owned by gangsters and I’d occasionally be hugged by one of “the chaps” if they happened to pay a visit. I found this simultaneously flattering and frightening. I was only there to play the records and had no desire to be embraced into their dark world either literally or metaphorically. I’ve moved with the times, however, and routinely hug male friends and acquaintances. Not to do so would now seem a bit stand-offish. And yet, each time I do, I still feel like I’m pretending to be one of those 1980s fun loving criminals.
Arms and the man.

- Brazil 1 Germ...9th Jul 2014
- She married a...8th Jul 2014
- Happy Birthda...7th Jul 2014
- Only one plac...6th Jul 2014
- My God, isn't...4th Jul 2014
- It's my birth...3rd Jul 2014
- I'll even for...2nd Jul 2014
- The thing you...1st Jul 2014
- London Pride.29th Jun 2014
- RIP Bobby Wom...28th Jun 2014
- When was the ...27th Jun 2014
- Did Giorgio C...26th Jun 2014
- What exactly ...24th Jun 2014
- God, I went t...22nd Jun 2014
- It's the long...21st Jun 2014 prev next