[ad_1]
Dunedin Airport has it all world after talking introducing a hug limit sign to their pick-up and drop-off zone.
The sign placed in the airport The drop-off zone states: “Maximum hugging time 3 minutes. For more farewells you can use the parking lot.”
This is what Dan De Bono, CEO of Dunedin Airport, says RNZ they wanted to avoid threatening messages that most airport drop-off zones use because they are “quite intense.”
De Bono said too many people stayed in the drop-off zone for too long.
However, other airports in Aotearoa New Zealand don’t want visitors to ‘rush into a good hug’.
Christchurch Airport has said this Stuff “For Kiwis, goodbyes and hellos are all about cherishing those moments, whether it’s a quick squeeze or a long hug.”
They said there will be staff in the drop-off zone during peak hours to keep things moving smoothly if someone is waiting for a spot.
Auckland airport said so Stuff there is absolutely no time limit for hugs.
They even researched the value Kiwis place on a hug at an airport.
Earlier this year they conducted a study on airport hugs, finding that Kiwis feel more comfortable hugging at the airport than in other public locations.
Despite only 17 percent of Kiwis consistently considering themselves ‘public huggers’, this is changing at airports.
A full 91 percent said they feel more comfortable hugging at the airport than in other public locations.
However, they do ask visitors to be considerate of others using the pick-up and drop-off location, especially when it is busy.
Otherwise, “just hug” is the advice from Auckland Airport and apparently the rest of New Zealand.
In Australia, Sydney Airport was also firmly behind a hug, but emphasized if you need longer to avoid the busy drop-off zones.
“Sydney Airport encourages hugging, but we ask passengers to be considerate and move quickly, especially during the morning and afternoon peak hours when drop-off areas become busy,” a spokesperson told 9Travel. “Passengers who want a longer hug are advised to use one of the parking garages.”
Airport sign sparks global discussion
One disgruntled social media user put it well when he wrote under a photo of the sign on Facebook: “You can’t put a time limit on hugs! That’s inhumane.”
A reporter for The independent called it an “example of a culture that values speed and productivity over human compassion.”
Yeah, it just slows everyone down
No, saying goodbye at the airport is important
However, not everyone was against the ‘light-hearted’ way of gently taking people along during busy times.
“I love it. It shows warmth and compassion,” one person shared on social media. “At my local airport it would be: ‘You can’t stop there’. There’s a £100 ($195) fine if you stop and a minimum of £5.00 to drop someone off in the drop-off zone. I love Nice Airport – they have ‘Kiss and Fly.’”
Others joked about the strange new rule, with one person writing: “I can see the airport worker now… 2:56, 2:57, 2:58, 2:59 Okay, time to break up with me!”
Part of this story originally appeared on Stuff and is reproduced here with permission.
[ad_2]