This sideways hug, with your arms over each other's shoulders or on the waist, suggests a level of comfort and trust that transcends your everyday romance. It means that you aren't just a couple, but also friends.
A side hug means you're not fully in it and is more common in acquaintances since it's more approachable and appropriate for people who aren't very close.
A side hug is when two parties are hugging each other with their arms around either the waist or the shoulder of the other person. Usually they are standing side by side, one using the left arm and the other using the right. What it means: "A side hug means you're not fully in it," says intimacy expert Julian Colker.
This type of hug is the surest sign of attraction there can be. Hugging you around the waist and pulling you in is an indication that he wants you, romantically or sexually (or even both!)
Research shows that Side Hugs or Quick Hugs are signs of a formal connection or could just be friendly hugs with newly met acquaintances. On the other hand, Full Body Hugs, Sexual Hugs, or Straddle Hugs are definite signs of sexual attraction and are not exchanged between friends, no matter how close.
In romantic terms, this means that the person is not fully inclined towards their partner if they prefer this type of hugs. Side hugs are more of a friendly, approachable tone for encouraging someone as well.
In a friendly side hug, there is only upper body contact (that too, merely touching each other). But in a romantic side hug, there will be a slight intentional rub against each other's bodies.
If your upper bodies and chests touch, that's usually a friendly hug. If your chests and pelvises touch during the hug, though, there's probably some sexual attraction there! It's a little harder to tell if they give you a full-frontal hug and press their cheek to yours.
The hug with head on the shoulder
This is where the man or woman lays their head gently down on their partner's shoulder. If this hug occurs, there is strong affection and you're both willing to look after each other. You most likely love each other and the relationship is going strong.
Generally, when a guy hugs you with both arms but initiates the hug with his left side so that his heart touches yours, it means he is sexually attracted to you. The hug can happen in any position, whether seated or standing and take longer than three minutes.
The side-hug: This approach is subtle and low-commitment. Sidle up next to someone and reach out with one arm. Slide your arm around their shoulder (if you're taller) or around their back, below their arm (if you're shorter).
It depends on the circumstances, but likely means that he feels a friend connection with you, and hugs you to show caring and intimacy, but uses a side hug, to demonstrate that it's a friendly hug.
Keep your hands on the back of her waist if she intends to keep hers on your shoulders. Lean in closely and maybe even give a light kiss on her cheek or neck. Hug her tight and never be the first one to back away. Don't worry about it too much.
"A pelvis-to-pelvis embrace shows he'd like to merge with you sexually," Wood says. The farther down your body his hands travel, the more fired up he is. There's one last thing to take note of: Does he touch his head to yours? "Then he wants to merge his thoughts with yours as well," Wood adds.
A hug at the waist is indeed one of the most romantic and intimate hugs! A hug at the waist brings one partner below the shoulders of the other, down and closer to the stomach during this embrace.
Another clear sign he likes you is if he is actively trying to hang out with you, or help you, or find out more about you. There are also indicators like eye contact or compliments, and showing that he's interested in your physical appearance, or who you are as a person.
Flirty Hug
If you are at the onset of a relationship, this is the perfect way to express yourself without being bold. However, in an existing relationship, a flirty hug (which involves a little delicate touching) is a great way to keep the romance alive. If you do this often, you two are on the right track.
You can put both arms around his neck and keep one palm gently on the nape of his neck. If your arms are around his neck, run your fingers softly through the hair at the base of his neck. If your arms are around his torso, rub his back gently. A behind-the-back hug can also be a good way to hug a guy hello.
On its own, cuddling is unlikely to make you fall in love with someone. But, as noted above, because cuddling can cause your body to release certain hormones, like oxytocin, it can make you feel loved or bonded with someone that you're already falling for.
A 2018 study found that most people prefer right-sided hugs — even though left-sided hugs were found to be more common in positive as well as negative situations.