When Sigmar Binder gives a manhug....

When women hug each other it is joyful, full of plain, honest emotion. Even men like to watch it. It is so genuine. The emotion affects everyone within sight.

When men hug...its different. Hugging strangers or men you really don't know well is generally just awful. Of course, Father and Son hugs are just as honest and wonderful as the girl-hug, but outside of that, the man-hug is usually quite painfully awkward. In fact if you click here for a youtube video on "man hug" you will see some funny videos about just how awkward it is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUdWApwbudQ

And then there is Sigmar Binder. Sigmar is my favourite German-English translator. And he is probably my favourite German man period. When I met him again recently in Berlin he was so happy and genuinely happy to see me. He quickly phoned Petra, through whom I met him years ago, and told her he was here with me. A few minutes later he embraced me fully in a close, belly-to-belly, ear-to-ear, whisker rubbing man hug - because she told him "give him a big hug from me". He did exactly what he was asked.

So over two days of research in Germany, we went out together for a beer at Augustiner Brau and had a good time. As we departed at the train station he held out his arms again for a hug. With that big smile on his face. What could I do? We were all arms, ears and whiskers again.

Sigmar is one of the very few genuinely joyful, warm and uninhibited men I know. He gives a hug because he is genuine in his affection towards a friend.

Sigmar is my friend. And its good to hug friends.