Yeah, there's a lot of polarizing arguments in the world today, but the goodness of long airport hugs seem like something we can all pretty much agree on. Truly, how can you hate on an embrace with a loved one either coming or going? Well, if we've learned anything from Law List, it's that no one, and no thing, is fully above the law—even the airport hug.
Just ask Dunedin Airport in New Zealand, who has implemented a hug cap to limit lingering goodbyes. The order was introduced last month through a series of curbside drop-off signs, each telling travelers to limit their hugs to three minutes in the drop-off area.
According to airport CEO Dan De Bono (who is also likely an infamously bad hugger), the measure was taken to clear up traffic at the airport, not to punish public displays of affection. He also notes that longterm parking is an excellent place to extend a farewell, just not in the major airport arteries. Plus, according to De Bono, huggers only need 20 seconds of embrace to release oxytocin, the "love hormone" often generated from a good hug—so three minutes is on the generous side.
Like many airport ordinances, there is no serious legal ramifications for holding on a little too long, but security will drop by to let you know it's time to move along.
