Hugs have got my vote. There's nothing more effective than a well placed hug at the right time. I remember there was a friend of mine in college who always cringed when I gave him a hug. It took YEARS but he finally got to the point where he could hug back. My teenage daughters have reached the stage where they are hug supressive. They cringe at hugs from daddy -- but they are getting better. I haven't given up hope.