Why Do Some Bronies Feel Depressed That Andrea Libman Did Not Hug Them?

[GXPBlast 597]

At Bronycon and other conventions I attended all of the VIP'S and VA's seemed to either give tons of hugs to many bronies who wanted it. Maybe except those who were really sweaty, smelly or rude, but that was rare. However, at many on the Cons I went to I would over hear many people felt horrible that Andrea Libman would not give hugs when requested and would kindly reject them and give them a brohoof. Kind of like how Howie Mandel the comedian hates being touched by other people and only gives fist bumps.

 

When I heard about this I did not even bother asking as I felt I would just get kindly rejected too. When I got her autograph again this year although she even remembered me from last con and was sweet as usual, I did not even bother asking for a hug. What was even strange is that when I put my hand out to shake her hand she said, she can do brohoofs but not handshakes. I went along with as it was no issue but some others found it strange. I saw many people on line try to do the same and even try to give her hugs on kind request, but she declined and many people felt bummed out by it. Some bronies who are really into the show said they felt like they were being rejected by Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy and were depressed. The only people she would hug were young children.

 

I figured she is just that type of person who does not like to much physical contact with strangers. I could understand her reasoning more if some bronies who are smelly or very out there that might be the reason why she would not hug them, but bronies that dressed nice and showered she refused to hug. For me it was not to bad as I understood why she may not have done this, but to many others they felt rejected and upset. Although she was sweet as always, she came off to some bronies as being rejected by her.

 

There was a rumor going around the con that if she is seen in public outside of a convention by a brony, she tries to hide herself from them, to avoid being spotted or associated them. I am not sure how credible that rumor is but I do know why she may not want to give hugs out or even handshakes to strangers.

 

Does anybody else know more about this or have been "rejected" by Andrea Libman for a hug.

Edited July 13, 2016 by GXPBlast

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,370]

I don't think it is her avoiding bronies. Some people, like me for example, do not like just random hugs from random people. Not everyone is comfortable to doing that. The fact that she does the brohoof thing is nice enough. Some people may not even do that.

[weesh 690]

That seems perfectly acceptable.  
I am a very huggy person, but I only hug people that I know.

Hugs are really a cultural thing.  Some are very open to them, even when meeting a new person, and some consider them quite a bit more intimate.  

 

It isn't fair to judge her on the basis of giving hugs to strangers.

Edited July 11, 2016 by weesh

[Jeric 46,851]

Yeah. Had a few personal encounters with her and she is weird about touching.

 

She is very uncomfortable with her personal space being violated, yes. Seen this first hand. If the camera is on her she seems to grin and bear it, but she even looked uncomfortable when Peter New put his arm around her briefly at BABS 2015. But she acted similarly awkward when my 15 year old daughter asked for a hug. So it isn't an 'ewwwww' factor.

 

It could be she simply hates attention unless she has the security of the internet.

And no ... she shook my hand just fine.

[weesh 690]

Also, handshakes are disgusting when done 1000 times in a row.

Let's everyone give her our germs so that she can give them all back.  It's possible that she gets sick as easily as I do, and isn't interested in getting sick after every convention...But I'm not sure if changing the handshakes to bro-hoofs actually helps much.  

When I meet someone who has any level of fame, I don't initiate physical contact unless they do.  

[GXPBlast 597]

It isn't fair to judge her on the basis of giving hugs to strangers.

 

 

For me, I am not judging her, I am just happy I picked up on it to avoid the embarrassment of being "rejected" but in reality its just why she is. I am very appreciative that she is so sweet and even she remembered me from over a year ago, when i walked up to her for an autograph, she even remembered and our last encounters conversation, without me bringing it up. 

 

I guess many bronies little strange due to the characters she plays and personality being bubbly and sweet that she would love to give hugs. Compared to some other VA's she seemed like the one who would loves hugs and such.

Edited July 12, 2016 by GXPBlast

[Guest]

Not wanting physical contact with strangers is not abnormal. Considering she doesn't need to show up at the conventions at all, complaining that she won't hug people is kind of entitled.

[AccountNoLongerUsed 741]

It's called consent. If someone says "no, I dont want X" you don't do X to them. In this case, X = Hugs.

[GXPBlast 597]

It's called consent. If someone says "no, I dont want X" you don't do X to them. In this case, X = Hugs.

 

 

I actually saw some cringe worthy encounters on line and could feel the embarrassment. A few bronies did not even ask and went in for a hug after a photo, Andrea had to put her hands out or back out a bit and gave them a brohoof. As they walked away you could see the sadness and embarrassment on their face.

Edited July 12, 2016 by GXPBlast

[Steve Piranha 29,419]

Well, not sure why she doesn't like that, but I bet she has her reasons 

[GXPBlast 597]

She is very uncomfortable with her personal space being violated, yes. Seen this first hand. If the camera is on her she seems to grin and bear it, but she even looked uncomfortable when Peter New put his arm around her briefly at BABS 2015. But she acted similarly awkward when my 15 year old daughter asked for a hug. So it isn't an 'ewwwww' factor.

 

I noticed in many photos in which a fan puts their hand around her, her smile seems less compared to other photos she has with fans. She usually hugs younger kids or teens especially if they are females though, did she hug your daughter as well or back off with a brohoof?

[Roughshod 719]

Alas, I too have fallen victim to the deceptive and disarming charm of one Lady Libman, only to be met with the bleak and brutish display of a fist thrust towards me. No flutter warmth or semblance of 'la gentillesse' could be seen in that most mundane of contacts. No laughs were laughed, yet like a cannon did that extremity shoot out against me.

 

A party of five knuckles with me as the dishonored guest. The theme?

 

Heartbreak, my friends. Only heartbreak.

[Guest]

I also feel it's kind of rude to draw attention to her discomfort with being touched. It's sort of like seeing someone who is socially awkward and going "Hey, a bit socially awkward there aren't you?"

[Envy 6,155]

I would not want to be hugged by a bunch of random people, either.

 

Personal space is important, and it's one of those things I don't really understand why some people can't get and have to make a big scene about like making this topic. Seeing this topic is the equivalent to me of people raising a big scene about my choices for lunch at work... Just let her be. It doesn't matter.

[weesh 690]

I also feel it's kind of rude to draw attention to her discomfort with being touched. It's sort of like seeing someone who is socially awkward and going "Hey, a bit socially awkward there aren't you?"

 

well said.

rather than "wow that was weird", we should all be sensitive and aware of what people around us want, and go with the flow.

[Sabrinie 392]

I think that's completely fair. No one should be expected to hug anyone, especially someone who is going to be asked a LOT for hugs. Even as a cosplayer, a lot of people ask for pictures and hugs and I always feel really uncomfortable hugging people. It's a personal preference and I don't think it's weird at all. I wouldn't wanna spend all my time hugging people when a brohoof is much less intimate and way less awkward. Hugs in general are weird, and I'm surprised more VA aren't rejecting them honestly. 

[EverEverOn 346]

I don't see anything wrong with this. I personally don't like being touched in most situations. The only time I am actually okay with it is when I'm in distress. I just don't feel comfortable with other people touching all the time. I can imagine it must be even worse when so many strangers want to hug you.

Some people just aren't comfortable with it, and we'll have to accept that she doesn't like hugs and prefers to fist bump. Honestly, I'd much rather fist bump than hug Andrea Libman.

[ManaMinori 4,145]

I also feel it's kind of rude to draw attention to her discomfort with being touched. It's sort of like seeing someone who is socially awkward and going "Hey, a bit socially awkward there aren't you?"

excatly this. Bottom line-if she's uncomfortable with hugs, than respect that by being conscious of it. Don't call her on it, don't feel hurt or rejected like it's a personal attack. Just be respectful and conscious, and inform others not to dive bomb her for hugs, out of respect to her.

Maybe she grew up in an environment where hugs weren't given much, or at all. Who knows? Who cares?

Just be respectful

[Magic Note 2,748]

I don't see anything wrong either. I really don't like being touched at all, and get uncomfortable even from being poked. My guess is that Andrea Libman may not have been comfortable with people randomly hugging her because of personal space.

[Steve Piranha 29,419]

   Thing is, I dunno why we fans of ANY celebrity expect them to just deal with us constantly violating their personal space. Worst of all, we picture them as their characters. News flash for you guys: She's Andrea Libman, NOT Pinks, Flutters, Pumpkin Cake, Fleetfoot, etc; she's a woman behind those characters with her own personality. In fact, be grateful she makes an effort to still make a friendly gesture even if she rejects the initial hug. Most other celebrities will outright reject you and sometimes being rude about it. 

 

   Well, this topic instead of breaking my pedestal on her, it gave me anothe insight. Now I know how to threat her if I go to a con (If ever, got tons of shit to get together before that) 

[Noandnoandno 100]

I find it honestly strange to expect hugs from people who are pretty much strangers, yes, you are a fan, but you are still a stranger to her , all she knows about you is that well, you are a fan.

 

She may be not uncomfortable with hugs, but she may be uncomfortable with giving out hugs to every single person she meets. 

So don't take this the wrong way, the fact she does not want to be hugged should be really respected and shouldn't warrant much of a discussion. 

 

I don't know, do people usually just hug randomly? I guess I am not too familliar with people, but at least where I come from, it isn't all that usual, family members hug and stuff, but strangers who just meet, a hug? That is almost unthinkable. Especially to me.

Edited July 12, 2016 by HeavyWeaponsBaby

[GXPBlast 597]

Just curious besides our views on how Andrea Libman has every right to reject a hug and needing her space from staggers, I am just curious if anybody else personally experienced this before or knew anyone else who dealt with this "rejection" before. How did you or the person feel and did you eventually not take it personally?

Edited July 13, 2016 by GXPBlast

[Rawzy 1,302]

She probably just doesn't like bronies...I think we all know how common people like her are.

[Zeal Crown 196]

Maybe she prefers that Asian style bow thing with the hands and such. If so, that would be totally awesome!

[Cirrus. 1,089]

I know I don't like to be touched by people I don't know. Not in a "germ scared" way, just a personal space thing. I have two little cousins that like to climb all over me sometimes. I don't exactly "like" that either, but they're little kids just having fun, so I tolerate it. All in all I would say I'm more on the introverted side personality-wise. I don't have a problem with crowded places or talking with people, but I'm usually not one to just walk up and start talking to some random person or something.

 

From what I've seen of Andrea in interviews and such, she seems to be a little more on the introverted side compared with, say, Tara Strong.

That may have a lot to do with preferring her personal space.

 

Andrea says she's not like Pinkie or Fluttershy, but it seems to me like she's definitely more like Fluttershy than Pinkie.