India is a vibrant land of unity in diversity. Customs and traditions are the wealth of India and warmth of Indian-ness is the bonding branded “Incredible India”. There are plentiful general etiquettes that most Indians are particular about and very staunchly adher to. Many can be found accommodating in line with the next generation but preserving the fervor to the best. There are very common instances like greetings where Indians hold their palms together and say ‘Namaste’ (nuh-mus-tay) while greeting each other. It can continue with shaking hands, hugging and kissing on the cheeks, especially to the loved ones.

I recall one of my colleague’s daughter studying abroad when during a parent teacher meeting her teachers emphasized on the fact that Indians have the highest respect level to their elders and teachers mentors compared to most of the other student nationals. She was just being an Indian by heart, by soul. I appreciate her for being her. 

National Hugging Day is an annual event dedicated to hugging. It was created by Kevin Zaborneyand occurs annually on January 21. The day was first celebrated on January 21, 1986 in Clio, Michigan, USA. The holiday is also observed in many other countries. Kevin Zaborney is credited with coming up with the idea of National Hugging Day in 1986. It was included in Chase's Calendar of Events; Zaborney's friend at the time was the granddaughter of the proprietors of the publication. He chose January 21 as it fell between the Christmas and New Year's Holidays and Valentine's Day and birthdays when he found people are generally in low spirits. Zaborney considered that "American society is embarrassed to show feelings in public" and hoped that a National Hugging Day would change that, although he thought that his idea would fail. 

The idea of National Hug Day is to encourage everyone to hug family and friends more often. Zaborney cautions to ask first if one is unsure of the response. We show this gesture of hugging whenever we achieve something good in life. It gives a feeling of gratitude and love acknowledged.

I very strongly relate to Munna Bhai MBBS , a movie starring Mr. Sanjay Dutt which showed that the reason for a hug can be more than love and celebration, it can be to share someone’s sorrows too. It was only a depiction on screen but the message is received and appreciated. Have there been instances where you should have seen someone and lent a hug or just a shoulder. Definitely, yes. We have proven that we are there for you at times of need and whenever you are down.

To start with a little genuine smile makes your day. In the glamour called hospitality industry where we always wear a smile. It is difficult to judge if the smile is genuine one or plastic smile. Try this - drive with care with all essentials and by mistake if you have gone wrong in the traffic, creating problem or panic to other person. Don’t just rush over and leave, try to acknowledge with a genuine concerned smile or raising your hand accepting your mistake (no speech in the entire process) and trust me, the other gentleman would feel better and move on, like you too will.

It is a healing power smile and hug. Use them cautiously, judiciously and genuinely.