Character Interactions

[A Squared]

I don't know if this is the right forum, but hope so.
Brother-in-law came over yesterday to dicuss our road trip, I mentioned you can meet The Mandalorian which as a big SW fan he really liked the idea of. However, got me thinking, in all my past character meets I always put an around the character's waist for a hug but not a tight hold. I remember reading somewhere that adults shouldn't do this as creepy, weird etc but I just want a hug and be friendly.
Should I stop doing this?

 

[BrianL]

This is an interesting question, and I think it is largely going to depend on who the guest is and who the characters is. People have differing levels of comfort with such things. Certainly, if you are me, a mid-forties male, and the character is a young lady playing a princess, I need to think about how I approach that. Of course, one never knows who is inside a mascot style costume or The Mandalorian. It might be assumed that Mando is male, but that's not necessarily the case. The character is also more covered than a character like Ariel. I'm not really sure that Mando is a hugger anyway. I guess I would say that if it seems uncomfortable or awkward, then it probably is. Letting them take the lead and naturally matching that is probably the best course of action.

 

[A Squared]

Thank you for the advice. I didn't feel uncomfortable at all, if I did I wouldn't touch them. However I now realise that they may feel uncomfortable with a 50+ female putting an arm around them so I will try to remember and copy their pose.

 

[kylenne]

Thank you for the advice. I didn't feel uncomfortable at all, if I did I wouldn't touch them. However I now realise that they may feel uncomfortable with a 50+ female putting an arm around them so I will try to remember and copy their pose.

tbh I think you’re really overthinking this. I’ve known quite a few friends of characters and not a single one would be weirded out by this. The type of behavior Brian is talking about is generally adult men being creepy towards the princesses. Context matters.

I was in my 30s the first time I met Tiana and I got really emotional when she hugged me and started crying. The representation thing hit me really hard even as an adult. She hugged me a little tighter then. But I have never gone wrong asking a character if it’s okay for a hug, or what kind of pose they’d like to do. The latter sometimes makes for fun interaction opportunities, like when we met Moana on the Wish and she had us do our best explorer pose. You’ll be fine because you’re respectful and they are well aware of that.

 

[BrianL]

tbh I think you’re really overthinking this. I’ve known quite a few friends of characters and not a single one would be weirded out by this. The type of behavior Brian is talking about is generally adult men being creepy towards the princesses. Context matters.

I was in my 30s the first time I met Tiana and I got really emotional when she hugged me and started crying. The representation thing hit me really hard even as an adult. She hugged me a little tighter then. But I have never gone wrong asking a character if it’s okay for a hug, or what kind of pose they’d like to do. The latter sometimes makes for fun interaction opportunities, like when we met Moana on the Wish and she had us do our best explorer pose. You’ll be fine because you’re respectful and they are well aware of that.

Maybe it shouldn't, but It absolutely matters if you are male or female. Since OP is the latter, that "creepy" factor is greatly diminished. There are always boundaries however and, yeah, you can never go wrong with asking or, as I said, follow their lead. Chances are it won't be creepy unless someone is making it creepy, and that's more of an attitude than anything else.

 

[VGCgroupie]

You can always put your arms out and see how the character reacts, you can usually tell if someone is comfortable with this type of greeting. I have actually witnessed once a character get upset and inform the CM at breakfast when someone got too handsy, they grabbed Minnies face. My last trip I witnessed an adult grab Chip and hug him tight from behind, Chip seemed a bit taken aback but didnt inform the CM. But I was upset for Chip.

 

[Karin1984]

Also think you are overthinking this a little. If a character is uncomfortable with how you touch them, even when it is in a well meant friendly way, they have their tricks to put you in a position that they feel comfortable with. They will certainly try, and it is always best to move with the character and let them lead positions.

If you feel uncomfortable or selfconcious with your arm around their waist, move your arm to the back or shoulder.

 

[zackiedawg]

Going back many decades ago, when it was a very different time...I once was at Disneyland with a good friend who is a huge Pluto fan...he saw the Pluto character and yelled his name, with his arms raised and looking very excited...Pluto did a jump reaction like he was really excited, then ran over and literally jumped into his arms and hugged. Afterwards, he commented to me that Pluto was clearly a female cast member.

Neither he, nor the cast member, would do anything like that today - times have definitely changed.

 

[yoshikitty]

tbh I think you’re really overthinking this. I’ve known quite a few friends of characters and not a single one would be weirded out by this. The type of behavior Brian is talking about is generally adult men being creepy towards the princesses. Context matters.

I was in my 30s the first time I met Tiana and I got really emotional when she hugged me and started crying. The representation thing hit me really hard even as an adult. She hugged me a little tighter then. But I have never gone wrong asking a character if it’s okay for a hug, or what kind of pose they’d like to do. The latter sometimes makes for fun interaction opportunities, like when we met Moana on the Wish and she had us do our best explorer pose. You’ll be fine because you’re respectful and they are well aware of that.

I agree! I think it also depends on how comfortable the CM is. I would definitely follow the CM's lead on interactions.

 

[indoshakespeare]

For princesses, let them initiate the contact. They usually just grab your arm for pictures. Moana was the only one who gave me a hug.

 

[jeankeri]

Had an interesting interaction with Peter Pan a few (maybe 20?) years ago in MK. I always stop for face characters, and I was with my DS8 and DS10.They had no interest in meeting Peter Pan but were taking the picture for me. When I was the only one who approached for the picture he seemed surprised, and looked a bit judgy, and when I asked where I should place my hand he pointed to his shoulder and said 'there'. No eye contact at all. He then said, 'nice shirt, really appropriate...' (it was a Mickey Mouse Plane Crazy shirt. TBH Mickey looks a bit disheveled, but I bought it the day before at The Marketplace, and told Peter that).All in all it was a very weird interaction, and I have never had that happen before or since. I feel like that particular Pan may have encountered some over friendly fans.