I don't care much for people 'in my bubble' so it makes me really uncomfortable.
The last time I hugged anybody was back in April when one of my best friends passed away. It was the time and place for such a thing. I was very close with him and his family and you do what is necessary to comfort people who matter to you. Outside of such circumstances, I think it's just odd to be overly affectionate in public.
You should stay away from the South. Here there are a lot of people who will continue putting their hands on your knee or shoulder even if you ask them not to and many people get offended if you don't want to hug them whenever you see them. Of course they know I only feel that way because I am a Yankee.