So, for my out of the "norm" assignment, Victoria and I sort of joined forces to do the experiment. We went to the corner of Oxnard and Reseda and basically asked for hugs. Victoria had a huge poster board that said "FREE HUGS" and I just had a small printing paper sign that said "Can I have a hug?" So Victoria was giving them and I was asking for them.
The plan was for her to get all dolled up and give hugs for free and for me just to be in regular clothes and ask for them. We wanted to see who would get the most hugs. The pretty dressed girl, who was looking like Minnie Mouse, or the girl that was just looking like a bum.
We started off with the experiment at 12 pm. at the ampm gas station. At first I felt really stupid and just couldn't stop giggling. We were at ampm for like a good ten minutes. A lot of people we staring and laughing. Some had confused faces. Everyone was just staring. Then the mailman made us move because he had to park there. So, we moved our stuff and continued to wave our signs. Two minutes after we moved, one of the workers of ampm came out and asked who we were with. Victoria replied "No one." He told us we couldn't be there and give free hugs. Victoria was very sadden by this.
Since we were kicked out of ampm's parking lot, we had to go to a different location. Victoria and I then moved across the street to the metro station. Soon as we got there and took out our signs, two men came running to us and hugged us. We got so many stares it was hilarious! At first it was just men coming to us and hugging us. No women. Then all of a sudden a couple came and hugged us and that was our first woman to woman hug.
All the hugs were going great. No weirdos, until a black guy on his bike stopped and asked where the cameras were. Victoria replied "They're no cameras. I promise!" and he said "Okay. Can I feel on you then?" I was shocked! I was like "Oh my GOD!" Victoria's face was PRICELESS! She of course replied "No!" but being the good sport that she is she still was up for giving the hug. Later, he read my sign and asked "How old are you?" and I replied "19." I was hesitant to tell him but I did anyways. As he was coming in to hug me, I was afraid he was going to try to feel on me too. He asked if I had a boyfriend and I was so nervous and said "No. Yes. No. I have a girlfriend." When I first said no I thought to myself "Oh no! Now he is going to try to feel on me because he knows I don't have a boyfriend!" So thats why I later said yes.
Anyways, he was just the one only weirdo we encountered. Victoria got a few more hugs than I did. He was all over the place being bubbly and perky with her sign and I was just calm and quiet with my little sign. I over all got hugged by seven men and two women. My favorite hug I must say was from this very nice and flamboyant student nurse that gave me the testiest hug ever. He was just so happy to give me a hug. It was cute. I also got to say that my last hug for the day was funny because it was a pity hug. The guy first hugged Victoria and walked away and didn't give me one. He then later came back and hugged me and said "I felt bad for not giving you a hug." I thought that was very sweet of him. People still care. But that just showed he preferred to give the nice looking gal a hug versus the not so good looking girl. That was sort of what we were going for.
Overall, those 45 minutes were the and craziest and funniest in a long time. It was great to get peoples reactions and all the honks by the drivers. It was great getting free hugs by complete total strangers.
