Cheek kissing
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Cheek kissing is a ritual or social gesture to indicate friendship, perform a greeting, to confer congratulations, to comfort someone, or to show respect. It doesn't necessarily indicate sexual or romantic interest. Cheek kissing is more common in Europe than North America (except for Quebec), especially the southern parts of Europe. Cheek kissing is appropriate between a man and a woman, a parent and a child, two women and two men. The latter is socially accepted in Russia and the Middle East but brings up associations with homosexuality in Western Europe and the US.
In a cheek kiss, both persons lean forward and either lightly touch cheek with cheek or lip with cheek. Generally the gesture is repeated with the other cheek, or more, alternating cheeks. Depending on country and situation the number of kisses is usually one, two or three. 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. Do not be surprised if somebody kisses your cheek in the countries and cultures mentioned below, but do not try to imitate unless you are intimate with the culture (and the people around you). The appropriate social context for use can vary greatly from one country to the other, though the gesture might look familiar.
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The Americas
In the Americas, the cheek kiss may involve one or both cheeks.
Cheek kissing is most commonly done between a man and woman who know each other well or are related or close friends. In this case, a short hug (generally only upper-body contact) may accompany the kiss.
Also common is cheek kissing between two women who know each other or are related. Likewise, hugs are common but not required.
A variant of this is an air-cheek-kiss. The kiss is done at a distance, with the kissers standing one to three feet from each other and either blowing a kiss without any physical contact (common amongst female acquaintances and some gay men) or touching cheeks but kissing into the air (common between close friends and family, basically in the same contaxt as the normal cheek kiss).
Cheek kissing of children by adults of both sexes is common as well. Typically it is a short, perfunctory, greeting.
Cheek kissing between grown men varies between rare to fairly normal, depending on the area. A cheek kiss between two men may be seen as homosexual, unless the gesture is between close friends. Even this may be considered "gay".
Cheek kissing between grown children and either of their parents is common and acceptable.
Immigrant groups tend to have their own norms for cheek kissing, usually carried-over from their native country.
Southern Europe
Cheek kissing is a standard greeting throughout Southern Europe between friends and family of either sex. There is no stigma about men kissing men, as exists in some parts of the Americas. This kind of greeting often involves a hug.
In more northern parts of France, men may tend to avoid kissing each other.
Arab World
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Cheek kissing is relatively common, between friends, relatives, and lovers. The elderly are also kissed by younger people to show respect.
Quebec
Referred to as "la bise", people of the opposite sex usually kiss once on each cheek; though it is also acceptable for a pair of women, though typically men will refrain. This customarily occurs between friends or family members, especially after some time apart.