Hugs replace handshakes

"Democracy does not attach men strongly to one another, but it places their habitual intercourse on an easier footing."
-Tocqueville

This is yet another observation by the Frenchman which has borne out over time. Articles from the NY Times and Time reveal that hugs have replaced handshakes:

Tocqueville predicted that formalities will necessarily decline as Democracy evolves; however, this does not mean people will develop deeper friendships. Instead, friendships will become more shallow. People will be friendlier, but friendships will be superficial. One writer has called it FDS or Friendship Deficit Disorder.