In Quebec, there's plenty of hugging, but even more kissing :-).
When they part, if a women had an interaction at all with another, or if
there was no interaction but its a friend or close acquaintance,
Women and men kiss on both cheek. Only people with whom you had little interaction and
are not friends or family get a hand except if there are very few of these people. Then,
they get a pity kiss :-).
If its a friend or family and your not going to see them within next few days, a hug is added.
Acquaintances generally don't get a hug.
When they meet, after a little while appart (not if they meet 20 times a day)
women will kiss when they meet and also hug.
For women meeting men,
the kiss on the cheeks but not a hug will happen with friends all the time
If its been awhile (a week), then there is a added hug.
The same for acquaintance you know quite a bit if its been awhile (a week), but not a hug usually
For total strangers or acquaintance you know in passing, you take the hand when you meet.
There is also a kind of social pressure. If everybody's kissing, its hard to just stand there
looking dorky and shy. Besides, hands are much more dirty than cheeks so kisses are more hygienic.