maybe they just think you deserve a hug.
its nice to get hugs, even if they are random. dont you think?

The random hug is great, it's when there is a message attached to the hug - when I can't respond to it... that bugs me.

I think random hugs are a wonderful thing to give :)

Maybe they have their own issues - possibly shy, low self esteem, mistrust, social anxiety, whatever... and they are just trying to reach out.

I agree....

good point dustykitty, I hadn't thought of that

the private profile is an abnormality that I have not adjusted to yet....like you I find them frustrating when I want to send hug and it will not let me unless I go across the friendship lines....that has led to a bunch of people not getting a hug from me at least at first...

I got a random hug from someone, then another. Yesterday they spoke, left a message for the first time, someone who is shy, struggles to post here and hopefully in time this person will feel more comfortable.

Maybe someday that person will be more ready to accept my offer of friendship or friendship from others here.

Take care all!

Oh but here... I've got a better one! I have gotten friends requests from people with private profiles. And I totally get the thing about shyness, mistrust and all that, but honestly, how am I supposed to know who I'm agreeing to be friends with?
I usually send them a little hi-hello message asking them to tell me a little about who they are and why they chose me as a potential friend, but a lot of times they difficulty getting their thoughts across.
I think that's a real basis for me....
I know some people don't like random hugs...and I can appreciate why, but I don't have much of a problem with it personally; I know I tend not to send them though, not without some comment introducing myself.

The only thing that bothers me when this happens is that I would like to return the hug but can't. So I guess just be happy that someone thinks enough of you to send you a hug.

I have a question...it may be a dumb one, but if a private profile sends you a hug, don't they have the option to friend them ? Can't you write a simple Hugs! in that box and send it if you want? If you wanted to that is....

Just curious...thanks!

Well, as someone who DOES have their profile set to private, I do it because I've had some troll issues and bad experiences with some real psychos here on DS.

Saying that, I don't normally hug or message people who are not friends unless they are in some sort of crisis and are reaching out. And in most of those cases, we end up befriending each other anyway.

Have to agree on the friending Issue... I've had friend requests from people i've never chatted with or heard of amongst the forums and their profiles are private, and i think 'what the?'... 'who the hell?'