I was racing down the street and heard a man call out, "Would you rather be tickled or hugged?"  He said he was doing a survey.

Since I was hurried, I didn't stop, but that question rattled around in my brain for the next few days.

Would I rather be tickled or hugged?  I found the answer depended upon the moment -- at that particular moment, I certainly didn't want a hug.  I was pressured for time, so a tickle would have been perfect to lighten me -- even while my legs moved along fast.

    But later, when I was feeling quieter, I wouldn't have wanted a tickle.  I would have wanted the calming of a hug.

    But wait.  There was more.  My answer actually would be influenced by the giver.   If the tickler or hugger came from a good friend?  A sibling or other family member (niece, uncle, parent)?  A spouse/partner?

When you are mad at your spouse/partner, would you want that person to reach through your anger with a hug or a tickle?

If you felt a brother or sister was ignoring you, would you want them to re-connect with a hug or a tickle?  Better yet, which would  you give them?

If you've had bad news, or a tough day at work which would help more -- a good friend hugging or tickling you?

 Hmm.  I bet that man on the street had no idea how complex his 10 word survey actually was.