I get where you are coming from but I don't agree. OP was on a date with that man, not with her friend. She had already chosen her date over her friend romantically. Hugging is just a form of affection between humans, it isn't specific to romantic love by any means and although it might make the other person a bit jealous, it doesn't mean the girl is gonna run off with her guy friend or vice versa. I don't think it is disrespectful, you aren't excluding the date from any affection, you are just acting normally.

Hugging is one way to show / celebrate a close bond. It doesn't have to be romantic. Lovers aren't the only ones that hug. Parents + children, siblings, and best friends hug without it being romantic.

Personally I wouldn't think twice about a hug; it's really not a big deal. But if you (#35) are doing something which you acknowledge would make someone you love jealous or uncomfortable, why are you doing it? There is subservience and then there is empathy. There is a big difference between the two and the latter is not a bad word. If we're talking about the early dating stage, jealousy before emotional investment is what I like to call an extra bigass red flag.

Just curious, but since I'm married, does that mean I'm not allowed to hug another guy ever again? I definitely agree that while on a date, you shouldn't be hanging all over another guy, but a hug to say hi or bye or to congratulate your friend on excellent news (got a promotion, etc) is very normal and should be totally ok.

I think it's odd that you're praising a guy friend for pushing you aside. Yes, it's polite that he introduced himself to your beau and shook his hand, but to shove you aside first suggests that he's shaking the guy's hand to seek approval, and the permission to greet a friend. That is not polite, and it dismisses the fact that you and your date are equals. I doubt your friend intended to disrespect you, but it sounds like he's deferring to your date because your date is a man.

You are not someone's property. Someone else is not your property. You're allowed to show affection to other people without it meaning anything romantic and vice versa. If you can't even handle your significant other hugging a friend completely without any romantic feelings whatsoever, then you've got some serious insecurities.

What a douche.

Hopefully later on in life you will be able to laugh at how crazy the dude was.

The right guy will come along at the right time. Enjoy your single-hood! Go travelling alone, buy what you want, &/or learn a new skill. It's really fun!

What did you friend do?