Quote Originally Posted by cessna152towser View Post
One greeting which I often receive from North American friends when they sign off an e-mail is "hugs". There does not seem to be an equivalent English greeting, here the word hug means to cuddle up to someone. I do hope those from North America use the word to signify friendship and affection in the form of virtual hugs and there is not some other meaning which I am missing.
At the risk of interpreting someone else's usage I feel safe in saying "Hugs" in an electronic message would be the equivalent of a friendly greeting or goodbye. Americans (very generally speaking) do more physical greeting of friends and acquaintances, with actual hugs and "air" or facial kisses that other cultures reserve for close family/loved ones.

I know of at least one UK term for the relatively innocent activities that wholesome American teenagers do (or used to do) in the front seat of the car at the drive-in movie but this being a family-friendly forum I won't go there!