Dear Prudence,
Every year for the past five years, I’ve attended my husband’s family reunion with him. There are usually about 60 attendees, most of whom are lovely people I enjoy seeing and spending time with. My problem is this: Every year, I am forced to hug my husband’s 80-year-old great-uncle (this is the only time I ever see him). These hugs are tight, long, and uncomfortable, usually involving his entire torso. He’s also come up to me from behind, wrapping his arms around my front and pushing himself against me. This year, I tried to avoid the hug but was made to feel as if I did not have a choice. When I told my husband about it, he said he was sorry but didn’t know how we could avoid it next year. This uncle only hugs the women in my family, which just makes it worse. I dislike hugging him to the point where I was sobbing telling my husband about it the next day. The only other uncles or family members I hug are my husband’s direct uncles, whose hugs are light and brief and are therefore not uncomfortable. How can I still go to this reunion and avoid this unwanted and inappropriate manner of affection?