A discussion I just had, reminded me that there are considerable cultural differences in the manner people greet each other from one country to the other, specially as regards physical contact.
In Brazil, where I am from, for example, shaking hands is normally only used in formal situations. In informal situations
men usually hug each other. The hug can be more theatrical or more affectionate, depending on the grade of intimacy between them. Or they pat each other on the breast pocket or on the back. The patting on the breast pocket, meant as a friendly gesture today, has a less friendly origin: it originated during some revolution and its aim was to verify if the other man was carrying an firearm hidden in his pocket.
Women used to greet each other with a kiss on each cheek but because of the many viruses we have today, this custom is fastly disapearing.
Now I should like to hear from you: how do you greet people in your homeland or in the country you live today?