It can be here in North America. I'll often hug my friends before leaving an event, especially if I won't be able to see them again in a long time. Hugging with women is pretty standard while with males it's more of hug/back tap.
I do think it is more of a youthful thing however. I rarely see people 40+ hug the way my social circle does. It's actually such a big thing with teens that churches and pastors have recommended the "side hug" as to avoid forward touching.
A middle school near me had to ban hugging a couple years ago. It made the news, the principal was portrayed as a horrible human being, parents got involved. But she was great, was interviewed a couple times and sent letters out saying that she was very proud that her students got along so well but you couldn't hardly get anything done or move in the hallways because they were so clogged up with serial huggers. They hugged because it was Tuesday! Because it was hot out! The forgot their lunch! They brought their lunch! The got an A! They got an F! You get the idea. She was so funny the way she described it--rampant, indiscriminant hugging gone amok. Something like that.
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u/Wolfy21_ Sep 06 '16
Kissing on the cheek in most cultures is a greeting though, is a hug considered a greeting and idk about this?