Group grope

A woman and baby bond with a hug Photo: Pan Haisong

Students with job-hunting jitters at the Zhejiang Institute of Finance and Economics in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, found temporary solace on April 18 with a group hug to “release pressure and cheer each other up.”

“Hugging is a natural human instinct that refreshes and makes people feel safe and secure,” said one advocate. But, just as in the US where some aren’t into group gropes, it’s not something everyone appreciates in China. The hug-in was also criticized as “contrary to traditional Chinese self-expression” and as a superficial activity where men with questionable motives might over-express their passion.

Today Morning Express