It’s a scary world and I don’t think it’s going to get better. Here are some tips brought to you from Shihan Renee Datto of Yosai School of Karate and Kickboxing:
Avoiding the creepy hug
As they go in for the hug, step back, press your dominant hand against their chest and grab their wrist with your other hand. Give them a friendly pat with your dominant hand to say “no hard feelings, but that’s close enough”
If they stop there, slide your hand down to shake their hand. Keep it friendly.
If they don’t, press your index and middle finger into the place in the middle of their throat between their collar bones. They will step back very quickly. Because it’s awful. Try it on yourself, you’ll see.
Avoiding the butt grab
Option 1:
Tuck your arm low when he goes in for a side hug. This way if he slides his hand lower you can shove your elbow up and back to move his arm off of you.
Option 2:
If you don’t get your arm below his, then you can wrap your arm around his elbow joint and pull up and press against his chest/armpit to lift his arm away and push him away from you.
Avoiding the boob grab
Grab the wrist, lift your elbow like you would with a butt grab and push them away
Avoiding the one handed choke
Grab their thumb and twist their hand so their palm is facing them. Press your other hand to the pinky side of their hand so your thumbs are parallel and pointed up. Push their hand toward their face and twist toward their thumb. It hurts a lot. They will likely fall down.
It is also important to have good situational awareness. You can practice this all of the time. When you pass someone see if you can recall as many traits as possible, especially important are height, build, hair color, skin color, any distinctive permanent features like tattoos or piercings.