After participating in the customary rounds of hugging a large get together, I noticed an interesting pattern. Watching tall women hug tall men went as expected (i.e. normal hug), but things were executed differently when these tall women hugged shorter men. Whether conscious of this move or not, the tall women tended to bend way over to the point of being eye level with the shorter guys. After part of this move, they also seem to ensure their chest in no way, shape, or form touches the men. Thus, it becomes this sort of face to face non-embracing hug.

After some reflection as a short man (5'5"), I realized that I too am normally hugged that way and there is always this slight feeling of awkwardness in the moment.

Have other people thought about this behavior? Also, is there really any alternative to make things look/feel more normal?

EDIT: I should've defined tall in this context. The women I'm citing are 5'9" and above (4" difference from me). Thus, for similar effect, take your height and add 4".