Dear Dr. Skwoosh

N. Douglas Skwoosh, H.N.I.P.A.D.,* S.J.F.I.** is the author of When Should I Hug?

Dear Dr. Skwoosh:

I am a thirty-six-year-old chemistry teacher with an unusual, if trivial, problem. My brother and his family are meeting me and my wife for a little lakeside vacation in a few days. Now normally, it’s hugs all around at these gatherings. But the thing is, I saw my sister-in-law only a week and a half ago at a professional conference we both happened to be attending, and we hugged then. It seems silly to hug her again after only ten days—I mean, if I hugged everyone in my life whom I hadn’t seen in ten days, I’d never get anything else done. On the other hand, I’d feel peculiarly standoffish if Jeannie and I deliberately refrained from hugging while all the other permutations of people hugged. And I certainly don’t want to offend her if she’s planning on hugging me. Should I just cancel the trip?

*Has No Intention of Pursuing an Advanced Degree
**So Just Forget It

Write to Dr. Skwoosh:
P.O. Drawer 30
Next to the Socks
Bureau in Bedroom