When Friendship Runs Deep, Do Hugs Run Short?

You know that friend: the one you text nonstop, the one who gets your inside jokes without a single word, the one you can sit in total silence with and still feel completely connected. But, here’s the funny thing: how often do you actually hug them?

A viral thought floating around the Internet, thanks to TikToker inkytoks, puts it like this: "The better the friendship, the fewer the hugs." Is that true? 

It sounds backward at first, doesn’t it? Shouldn't the people we love the most get the most bear hugs, back pats, and arm squeezes? But, the more you think about it, the more it starts to make sense.

The Better the Friendship, the Fewer the Hugs.' Is That True?

The truth is, when you share a strong bond with someone, the need to constantly show affection in obvious ways like hugs often fades into the background. Deep friendships don’t always demand physical reminders because the connection is already steady, quiet, and understood.

For some, this means fewer hugs, but no less love. In fact, the stronger the friendship, the less “proof” you seem to need. It’s a bit like having a favorite old hoodie. You don’t have to wear it every day to know it’s the one you’ll never toss.

Friendship Takes Many Forms

The way people show affection is as varied as the friendships themselves. For some, it’s all about physical touch. For others, it’s acts of service, deep conversations, or just sitting side by side binge-watching the same comfort show for the fiftieth time.

One friend might wrap you in a hug every time you meet, while another shows up with coffee on your worst days and never expects a hug in return. And that’s the beauty of it –  friendship, the key to happiness, isn’t about grand gestures or the number of hugs. It’s about feeling seen, safe, and supported.

The Less Friends, The Better?

There’s this old-school line people toss around: the less friends, the better. And, while that sounds a bit harsh at first, there’s some wisdom buried in it. When you keep your circle small, the connections often run deeper. You spend less energy spreading yourself thin and more time nurturing the relationships that truly matter.

It’s a bit like this other saying: the fewer friends a person has, the more he has. Strange math, right? But, when you think about it, it adds up. A few solid, trustworthy friendships can fill your heart far more than a crowd of acquaintances ever could.

Respecting the Unspoken

So, what do you think? The better the friendship, the fewer the hugs? Is that true? At the end of the day, every friendship has its own rhythm. Some are loud; some are quiet. Some are full of hugs; others are built on deep conversations, road trips, or sending each other the same meme for a decade straight.

The real secret? It’s not about how you show affection, but how well you understand and respect each other's space. Sometimes the strongest bond is the one that doesn’t need to be spoken — or squeezed.

So, the next time you wonder if a friend feels distant because you don’t hug much, pause and think about the way they show up for you. Chances are, the love’s still there, just wrapped in a different kind of packaging.