Would You Hug a Maine Vending Machine to Get a Free Soda?

When I heard about a vending machine in Maine that gives free sodas for hugs, I didn't believe it at first.

Maine Vending Machine Dispenses Sodas if You Hug It

You can't get anything for free anymore. That's a popular sentiment that usually turns out to be accurate. So when I heard about a vending machine that dispenses free sodas for hugs, I was skeptical.

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My son, Josh, sent me a photo of the machine and his hand, holding a can of Coca-Cola. The classic red-and-white machine looked different than most, because in huge red letters on the front, it said 'Hug Me.'

I replied to Josh's text with something like 'okay.......??'

He told me that he walked up to the machine, read 'Hug Me,' and decided to try it. He hugged the machine and was rewarded with an ice-cold can of Coca-Cola.

Maine Has a Hug Me Vending Machine at a Central Maine Convenience Store

The machine Josh saw sits outside a Big Apple store in Fairfield. Are there more in Maine? I'm not sure.

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I did a deep dive into Google and found that these machines have been around since 2012. According to the History Oasis website,the machines debuted in Singapore. When it was a success there, they spread across the globe.

Coca-Cola's Hug Me Machines Reflect the Happiness Vibe Promoted By the Brand

The combination of emotional marketing and a product reward fed right into Coca-Cola's reputation for happiness. Have a Coke and a smile...or a hug, apparently.

I'm suddenly feeling very out-of-touch, because I had never heard of a Hug Me Coke machine until my son ran across one in Fairfield, Maine. But now that I know, I think I need to drive to that Big Apple store and check it out.

I mean, you have to try it once...right?