I have received allegations that Lizzie comes from Outer Space, but that's another matter....

I hadn't heard of the Minnesota Nice that Jim linked to, but I grew up with similar behavior in Southeast Wisconsin. I left Wisconsin in 1970 and moved to California in 1973, but I'm still not comfortable with the hugs (and sometimes kisses) that near-strangers exchange here in California. Now, I like a good hug from somebody I like and know well, especially if that person is a female of the opposite sex, but hugs from relative strangers just feel uncomfortable. I admit that sometimes I will sometimes initiate a hug because it seems to be the accepted thing here, but it rarely feels right.
To me, a hearty Wisconsin handshake seems a lot more sincere than a superficial California hug. And if I want to be really sincere, I can shake with two hands.

-Joe-