When two people meet, what is with the hugging and back patting behavior?  Are they hoping to give themselves a back rub?  Don’t misunderstand me, I like the custom.  It  does feel good.  I don’t remember this custom when I was younger.  When did this custom creep into our culture?  It must have been gradual, as I didn't notice.

Here in California, I was raised with shaking my friend’s hand.  A close family member usually got a hug.  Especially if I had not seen them for awhile, like maybe a year or more.  Where did all this new hugging come from?

Now, it seems that everyone wants a hug.  If you don’t hug them, people will wonder if you like them.

And what’s the purpose of the back patting?  It seems to only be necessary when hugging your friend’s girlfriend or wife.  Or when hugging someone of the same sex.  Perhaps it signals a “platonic” hug.  And don’t hug too tight, and don’t hug too long.  It might get you slapped.  By your wife who is watching across the room.