BONUS!

This gem was from the popular sit-com Modern Family Season 2 (episode 14) and demonstrates the vast cultural divide between the East and West when it comes to rape-huggery. Let's outline some of the main differences and why the depiction of this rape-hug was not only okay, but funny.

First, let's outine the general gist of the above scene. The fat guy, Cameron, has come to see his boyfriend at the office. He suspects the receptionist - the guy in the white shirt - to have a crush on his boyfriend so he makes sure to show off some affection. Then, on the way down in the elevator, the receptionist attacks Cameron.

Difference no 1
In this scene the victim is completely unaware of the imminent rape-hug. See, in Japanese Doramas, you know a rape-hug is coming like a shark smelling blood. This eliminates any of the surprise elements which may result in genuine emotion - or in this case humour. See, when you know there is a rape-hug right around the corner, just by sitting there and passively watching you almost become implicit in the crime. It's like bullying - doing nothing is just as bad as being the one who drew a penis on that nerd's forehead. That's why the mission of J-Dorama Rape-hugs was started.

Difference no 2
The rape-huggist knows that what he is doing is wrong. As seen in the gif above, he is shaking his head right before he lunges, and he also whispers "Please don't hate me". This is societal awareness that uninvited touching is a bad thing. Japanese doramas on the other hand glorify rape-hugs.

Difference no 3
It's a rarity. I watch a lot of TV and movies, and rape-hugs don't come around all that often in American TV. This is the first rape-hug in Modern Family - which means it took 38 episodes. Even accounting for the half-hour format, a Japanese dorama running for 19 hours with some unwanted hugs is just unfathomable. It cannot be fathomed! No-one could possibly ever try to fathom it!



Ah, cultural differences. Some may say I'm being ignorant, but I would like to end by quoting Bill Maher:

I know a whole generation has been raised on the notion of multiculturalism; that all civilizations are just different. No! Not always. Sometimes things are better! Rule of law is better than autocracy and theocracy; equality of the sexes, better; protection of minorities, better; free speech, better; free elections, better; free appliances with large purchases, better! Don't get so tolerant that you tolerate intolerance.

I would like to add to that that regular hugs are better than rape-ones. And no, that doesn't mean that I condone those hippies with those "free hug" badges, because hugs should not only be wanted, but they should also be earned.