How-many-kisses-on-the-cheek guide by country
#1
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How-many-kisses-on-the-cheek guide by country
Somehow I don't think this is sticky material equivalent to SkiAdock's invaluable tipping guide, but it's interesting to read that the French, those masters of savoir-faire, are apparently unsure of how many kisses make for an appropriate greeting....
Kissing cousins: how they do it across Europe
The Netherlands begin and end on the same cheek. Three kisses are expected, but if greeting an elderly or close family member add a few more. Right cheek first
Italy kissing is restricted to very close friends or family. The number is optional and as there are no rules on which cheek to kiss first, there are frequent clashes
Belgium If the same age as the other person, one kiss is the rule. For someone ten years older, three is a mark of respect. This is hazardous if you are bad at judging ages
Spain, Austria and Scandinavia All are content with the two kisses ritual. In Spain the rule is strictly right cheek first
Germany tends to restrict kissing to family and very close friends. Handshakes predominate and all meetings begin and end with this formality
http://tinyurl.com/yusdb2
Kissing cousins: how they do it across Europe
The Netherlands begin and end on the same cheek. Three kisses are expected, but if greeting an elderly or close family member add a few more. Right cheek first
Italy kissing is restricted to very close friends or family. The number is optional and as there are no rules on which cheek to kiss first, there are frequent clashes
Belgium If the same age as the other person, one kiss is the rule. For someone ten years older, three is a mark of respect. This is hazardous if you are bad at judging ages
Spain, Austria and Scandinavia All are content with the two kisses ritual. In Spain the rule is strictly right cheek first
Germany tends to restrict kissing to family and very close friends. Handshakes predominate and all meetings begin and end with this formality
http://tinyurl.com/yusdb2
#2
formerly OliverS
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 405
I've heard friends of mine discuss whether the appropriate number of kisses in Munich is two or three (as compared to the 'outback' a few miles away).
I decided that moment seemed to be a good opportunitey to go get another beer.
I decided that moment seemed to be a good opportunitey to go get another beer.
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In France, not only does the number of kisses vary from one to four depending on the region, but it also varies within regions. City centres and their peripheries, urban and rural communities and different social classes are all divided over how many kisses to give.
It is very complex, said Constance Rietzler, director of La Belle cole in Paris, which provides lessons on French art de vivre. There is a lot of confusion over this.
It is very complex, said Constance Rietzler, director of La Belle cole in Paris, which provides lessons on French art de vivre. There is a lot of confusion over this.
#5
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Class distinctions also came into play. Mrs Rietzler said that the French upper classes preferred two kisses. Anyone planting three or more smackers on the cheeks of their host at a refined dinner would be committing a faux pas, she said.
http://tinyurl.com/yusdb2
#7
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I have a friend whose life is split between the coastal region near Montpellier and Paris, and he always gives me three kisses, which I love. He looks a lot like a younger Richard Gere, even though they are about the same age, and he owns a winery. What more could one ask of in a man?
#8
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As for Italy (background - I'm an Italian citizen), it's two, but I'd argue with the fact that it's only very close friends - it's appropriate between acquaintances of the opposite sex if you haven't seen each other in a while.
Last edited by sculler1x; Dec 2, 2007 at 7:19 am Reason: spelling
#9
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#10
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When I used to live near Marseille, 3 tended to be more common. Generally, though, I would default to 2 everywhere in France unless I know the person well and what their expectation is.
Another peculiarity of the South East is that kisses between men who are close friends occasionally happen, whereas it would be pretty much a no-no elsewhere, except between gay friends.
Another peculiarity of the South East is that kisses between men who are close friends occasionally happen, whereas it would be pretty much a no-no elsewhere, except between gay friends.
#11
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Perhaps it's the circles in which you travel, i.e. your class:
Class distinctions also came into play. Mrs Rietzler said that the French upper classes preferred two kisses. Anyone planting three or more smackers on the cheeks of their host at a refined dinner would be committing a faux pas, she said.
Class distinctions also came into play. Mrs Rietzler said that the French upper classes preferred two kisses. Anyone planting three or more smackers on the cheeks of their host at a refined dinner would be committing a faux pas, she said.
#12
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#15
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When I went to school in Nantes, it was 4. My Breton friends say 3, as do those originally from the south of France. My Parisian friends are split -- most do 2, some do 4. Even they freely admit that they never know how many it should be, either.