Why We Need Free Hugs and Payday Loans

Free hugs and payday loans would do nicely right about now.

America’s economy is suffering, people are suffering

The great uncertainty that hangs in the air is: is the other shoe waiting to drop? Will people who have jobs be able to keep them? Will people looking for work be able to find it?

When will things begin to look better?

It seems clear that the housing market needs to stabilize, and that the number of jobs that could be lost when American automakers begin to go under would be catastrophic. The U.S. economy simply cannot swallow that kind of mass unemployment as it stands.

Add on the wars in the Middle East, the offshoring of jobs, the widening gap between the rich and the poor, a healthcare system that can’t care for enough of the people in its current configuration, rising divorce rates, and battles over race, gender and sexual orientation. There’s stress in the air, everywhere.

Human beings have feelings

And sometimes strong emotions are difficult to deal with alone. One small thing that everyone should do – a way to let others know that, “Hey, I understand. We’ll figure it out. We’re in this together, friend” – is join the Free Hug Movement.

Started in 2004 by Australian Juan Mann, the Free Hug Movement began simply, with one individual who was alone and down on his luck. He went to the Pitt St Mall in Sydney with a magic marker sign that read “Free Hugs.” Once people realized that he wasn’t kidding, people slowly came to embrace him. Men in business suits, women who had lost a dog or daughter, young people, old people, people who wondered if they needed faxless payday loans and were nervous to move forward… the embrace was always free and it was always their choice.

And no matter what, after a hug, the random passerby left with a smile. They felt better about whatever problems they were facing.

The movement began to grow

Juan Mann became a YouTube celebrity – although that is definitely not why he started this. Eventually, authorities felt the need to intervene in this completely consensual, spirit-building public activity. Public hug-a-thons were temporarily banned, but the movement lives on.

Give someone a hug

It could be anyone. Give them the chance to opt in or out, because the benefits of an embrace – that temporal place where we are equals and there is complete understanding – should be shared only in a situation of mutual agreement. You’re trying to help someone else and yourself, not invade someone’s personal space.

If your budget is in trouble, hugs don’t help

More direct action is then required. If you need just a little bit of help to meet an emergency expense that’s keeping you up at night, rest easy. Payday loans are available. Fast, discreet and very convenient, they can help your physiological state in much the same way a big hug can.