 The friendly kiss until recent times usually occurred only between ladies, but today it is also common between men and women, especially if there is a great difference in age.According to Nyrop, up until the 20th century, "it seldom or never takes place between men, with the exception, however, of royal personages," although he notes that in former times the "friendly kiss was very common with us between man and man as well as between persons of opposite sexes.