Free hugs to go around in tourist area

MYSTIC, Conn. (WTNH) - A teenage girl is giving out free hugs to spread the love to downtown Mystic in Connecticut. At different times, but mostly on weekends, Gemma Dougan stands with her sign.

"You don't really get these kind of people down in Dallas," said Scott Rivers of Texas.

"We paused and smiled and kind of kept walking and I felt like I should give her a hug and I don't know I just didn't," said Melissa Pionzio of East Hampton.

Free hugs; it's an offer some find amusing.

"It's pretty new age but I guess it's cool," said Joe DeCrosta of New Haven.

And even endearing.

"I think it's a great idea," said Vicki DeCrosta of New Haven. "I mean you need to have some love in this world to go around."

Still, it's an offer some refuse.

"We're gonna be leaving soon so I don't think I'll get a chance," said Rivers.

So why does Dougan do it?

"I don't know, I like hugs. I thought it would be a good idea," she said.

And for that matter, why do others hug this stranger?

"Nothing bad can come of that," said Bruce Burton of Mystic.

Dougan said on a busy weekend she gives out about 100 hugs a day.

"Yeah people take my picture and stuff," said Dougan. "The tourists like it."

Dougan is not part of any hug campaigns. But, a lot of people have told her about others who do this around the world.