Cheek kissing cheeks. Depending on country and situation, the number of kisses is usually one, two, three or four. Hand-shaking or hugging may also take place. Cheek kissing is used in many cultures with slightly varying meaning and gesture. For example, cheek kissing may or may not be associated with a hug. The appropriate social context for use can vary greatly from one country to the other, though the gesture might look similar. In cultures and situations where cheek kissing is the social norm, the failure or refusal to give or accept a kiss is commonly taken as an indicator of antipathy
Cheek kissing (Southern), elderly women may be cheek kissed by younger men as a gesture of affection and respect. In Québec, cheek kissing is referred to in the vernacular (Québécois) as "un bec" (""donner un bec"") or "la bise" (""faire la bise""). Whether francophone or other, people of the opposite sex often kiss once on each cheek. Cheek kissing between women is also very common, although men will often refrain. Two people introduced by a mutual friend may also give each other "un bec". Immigrant groups tend to have their own norms for cheek kissing, usually carried over from their native country.