Should I risk seeing my male friend

I wouldn't meet up, he should respect you and the guidelines. Sounds too intense to me. Tread carefully and on your terms.

If you are both living on your own and neither of you are having contact with anyone else and are observing the guidelines then you are allowed to meet up outdoors if you want. You do need to make it clear whether
his suggestion of hugging is acceptable. As long as you are both following the guidelines an outdoor meet up is low risk. It sounds like you are keen to develop the relationship, so I would meet up in a park for a walk, but keep my distance until you are sure about the risks. The virus is going to be here for a long while, and you could be in for a lonely time ahead if you are not seeing anyone at all.
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The problem is, you don’t know where he’s been! For all you know he’s one of those people who think the whole covid rules don’t apply to them and has been out with his mates, he could even be what they call a super spreader who shows no symptoms, or he might be just a very nice guy. I’m afraid all the usual rules about dating have been thrown out of the window, and you can’t get to know someone on Skype and a couple of dates, so you don’t REALLY know this person at all. And to say he might not be able to resist giving you a hug is a bit of a red flag. Make it plain you’re not going to hug and stay your distance. If he really likes you, he will respect your boundaries and be willing to wait.

Watch out, watch out, there's a virus about......
I am not even hugging my friends yet. I would certainly NOT hug a stranger....

Awww. I think its his way of saying he likes you. As you said meet up outside somewhere and do the elbow greet right off the bat, he will get the message and will probably laugh about it, good luck.

I would take his comment about wanting to give you a hug as a compliment.

I'm sure given the situation, he would (or he should) understand your reticence in hugging. It's hard for most of us in relationships that don't live together; your automatic reaction is to hug the person you haven't seen for a while. So rather than not seeing him and probably being miserable I would just say that as we should be following government guidelines, we won't hug this time around. Maybe in a few weeks - give you both something to look forward to.

DS has been seeing a young lady for coming up to 2 years, but she's always very unsure of the physical side - they are best friends, and she is a "hugger" - they are both happy to see how it goes, but they have missed seeing one another most days and they have really felt sad that they haven't been able to be together over the last few months. So play it by ear and see how things go, but don't feel forced into anything. Enjoy your time together.

Sorry I seem to have crashed this post... didn’t mean to not sure how that happened ?

Does anybody know if this is legal?

Hubby and I had a nice trip to coast today ... git back around 5pm to find that out front bushes had been cut and dumped on our pathway. A chap we have never seen before (but apparently has lived at the top of our quiet culver sac for three weeks) Came down to say that he ‘had done us a favour’ and that they were making his children ‘walk wide’ on their way to school. I asked him who he was and why he didn’t just knock and ask us to do it and I commented that it was ‘poor form’ to do this when we were out and without asking. He became defensive and aggressive and walked off. I’m shocked. We have lived here for 15 years and this man thinks he can just move in and change the landscape to suit him!
I don’t understand why he didn’t just ask us.
By the way he did a very bad job and it looks a total mess.

Schumee you have every right to ask others their opinion on this. Why not??? I'm sure you have an idea as to what you want to do but its good to get other peoples views.

You are both adults, and part of being an adult is accepting that you have a responsibility not to make someone else take a risk, be that with their health or their money or something else. If he cannot be an 'adult' then I would suggest you stick to talking on line for the moment. It could all be completely innocent and he could, like many of us, be really missing the physical contact we used to have with other people - but, in these times you both need to put health concerns first - no hugging. He should be able to understand.

I`m a little concerned but can`t put my finger on it.
You must do what`s right for you tbh.

"I don't think I can see you without giving you a hug!" How serious is he? Could it just be him expressing how pleased he would be to see you with no intention of actually hugging you at all?

You might reply "I know how irresistable (I have tried this with 1 r and 2 but it still has a red line under it) I am, but hands off, sir, till Boris says so!"

WHAT a lot of over-thinking! 'If I saw you, I might not be able to resist a hug!' isn't a warning of potential assault. It's a statement that he fancies you, and can be answered with 'Me Too! I suppose we COULD do a Cummings...' (which would be assent), with 'Me too! But you do realise we can't. Maybe we shouldn't meet until this is all over' (which makes it clear you don't assent).

I suppose 'OK, but you'll have to take me from behind, wearing full protection' would be too direct? :-)

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I think it’s a natural thing to want to hug someone you have feelings for. He obviously cares about you and will probably respect your wishes. Listen to what your head tells you and stay safe. Hope you’ve found your Mr. right. It’s never too late! xxx

I don’t even hug my family let alone someone I’ve just met. Don’t let your own instincts be swayed by this man. If he genuinely likes you, he will respect your wishes

I have interpreted it as his saying it will be hard to resist giving you a hug,as much as he wants to, as it is hard for most of us resisting hugging anyone.Explain to him if he doesnt realise, he is not allowed to hug or touch anyone just now.If he likes you he will be willing to wait until it is safe.
Good luck.

The man wrote a comment, maybe jokingly and on the spur of the moment. I don’t suppose that he expected it to be analysed and scrutinised by a bunch of grannies!
If you don’t want him to touch you, tell him so. Also make it clear that if he ignores your request that will be the end of the relationship. Arrange to meet him somewhere in public, go for a walk or have a coffee with him. You don’t know him very well yet, so take your time. Good luck.

If he has no self control now, heaven knows what he will be like when the relationship becomes more intimate.

Only do what you're happy to do even though it may risk the relationship. If he is respectful towards you then he will understand. If he is not then I would question my future with him. There's plenty time ahead of us for hugs and kisses, for now stay safe!

all our safety depends on not breaking the rules even when we think they are not very logical...That was why Dominic Cummings behaviour was so shocking and has damaged peoples belief in sticking to the rules that protect us all. I am so impressed by peoples' restraint and not impressed by those that think they are exceptional. We really are nowhere out of the woods yet with this virus.
It might just have been a romantic come on...and difficult for you to reject. He is probably angling for a sexual connection and is feeling his way...best not be too ambiguous. Good luck.

Maybe you could find a cafe, restaurant or pub with outside tables and meet there? Perhaps reserve a table to be sure. Meet there on the understanding that there will be no physical contact. If you stay outdoors and in public the situation will be more comfortable for you.