Stop! Cuddle time capped to three minutes at airport

An airport in New Zealand has gone viral after it introduced a three-minute time-limit on hugs. or signup to continue reading Dunedin Airport in Momona on capped cuddle time in its designated drop-off area to reduce traffic congestion. A sign outside the airport was erected saying: "Max hug time 3 minutes.

For fonder farewells please use the car park." The airport has made global headlines for its unusual approach. Some social media have defended the move claiming don't need to be anywhere near three minutes and others have suggested the airport has no right to put a timer on goodbyes.



Airport chief executive Dan De Bono told Radio New Zealand's Checkpoint program it was about making sure the drop-off area wasn't being hogged and there was enough space for everyone to say goodbye. "There's only so much space we have in the drop-off area, and too many people are spending too much time with their fonder farewells in the drop-off zone, there's no space left for others," Mr De Bono told the radio program. He said research indicated you needed 20 seconds for your body to release oxytocin [sometimes referred to as the "love drug"] from the hug - anything less and you wouldn't get the hormones, and anything longer and you might be getting into the awkward territory.

He admitted the airport wanted to have a bit of fun with the messaging. "It's caused quite a stir. We've got quite a bit of conversation going," he told RNZ.

An Instagram user, Joshua Gibson, didn't like the idea of capping cuddle time. He wrote on the airport's post: "Get rid of it that shouldn't be allowed people need time to say good bye some people may only need a high five but other people need time to say goodbye not 3 minutes it should at least be 5 minutes." Others found the idea hilarious and responded with jokes.

A Facebook user, Nola Jacinta Maria, wrote "now everyone will want one". Tutka Lu wrote "Everything over 10 seconds is just showing off." Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

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