Do you need a greeting that is somewhere between a formal handshake and a more confidential kiss? In this case, by kissing in an affected way, or by touching someone's cheeks and smacking a kiss "close" to the face, you can show all your tact and discretion.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Giving a Sliced Kiss
Step 1. Understand when it is appropriate to give sliced kisses on the cheeks
Consider both the occasion and the nature of your relationship with the person you're greeting. Every circumstance and every level of intimacy requires a certain type of greeting, so try to greet the people you meet by considering the moment and how close you are to them.
- Touchless kisses during special and formal occasions. Typically, more formal events (such as weddings, holidays, and official ceremonies) that bring together people who are on good terms, but who have no other opportunity to meet, are the most common scenario for giving sliced kisses on the cheeks. Less formal occasions (such as family reunions, neighbors barbecues, and lunches with friends) call for the traditional hug and a kiss with lips on the cheek, especially if you regularly see the people you greet.
- Touchlessly kiss people you know but don't have a close relationship with. In many places around the world, strangers are not given sliced kisses, because the best candidates for this type of kiss are distant relatives, friends of parents, or people you are introduced to by a mutual friend. Close relatives and friends may be offended by the thought that by hinting a shy kiss, you establish a distance that does not lead you to hug or kiss them more affectionately.
Step 2. Say hello by name
Before giving an affected kiss, exclaim the name of the person in front of you and smile at them as you approach them. If you've forgotten his name, just say, "How nice to see you!" or "You are here too!".
Step 3. Read the body language
As you approach, reach out to touch or grab your acquaintance's arm, elbow, or hands. If he backs off or tensed, try to make up for it with a warmer hug or a pat on the back. If she seems to relax and reciprocate your contact, a kiss on the cheek is probably the most appropriate. If he hugs you fondly or touches you on the face, be prepared to kiss and be kissed in the traditional way.
Step 4. Lean in to give a detached kiss
Try to bring your lips close to the left cheek of the person you want to greet (unless it is customary in your part to start with the right one). However, be careful that whoever is in front of you is also going in the direction of your left cheek, in order to avoid an embarrassing moment in which both of you realize that you are about to collide with your face. As you are about to smack the kiss, try to lightly brush your cheeks with your lips.
Step 5. Give a touchless kiss near the cheek
Contract your lips and pop a kiss in the air just to the side of your face. Depending on the cultural background you are in, it may be appropriate to switch sides and give another contactless kiss on the opposite cheek.
Add some sound effects. Women sometimes make a discreet noise (like "muah!") When they send a contactless kiss. Generally, it is considered a friendly and feminine gesture that makes the greeting more heartfelt. In some cases, men do too, but it is not necessary
Part 2 of 2: Understanding the Different Cultural Conventions
Step 1. Find out about the most common customs
If you have to visit or move to a foreign country, it would be wise to inquire about the most common customs. It is also important if you have to welcome foreign guests. By knowing the correct way to say hello, you will know how to adapt and put at ease the people around you.
- In North America, it is common practice for acquaintances and close friends to give one or two contactless kisses, starting from the right cheek. Usually, men do not kiss, but a man can kiss a woman and women often kiss each other. Sliced cheek kisses are very common in large cities and parts of Quebec and New England.
- In the UK, contactless kissing is very common among very close friends from the upper middle class. It is considered unusual, though not unacceptable, to see two men exchanging affected kisses.
- In Spain and Italy, two kisses are generally given, starting with the right or left cheek, depending on the area.
- In France, there are two, three or four kisses depending on the region. If you're not sure, check first or don't hesitate to give a couple of kisses. Typically, women kiss without contact, but men can also share this type of kiss. Normally, French people kiss like this when they meet and say goodbye at any time of the day.
- In the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and Belgium, they give each other three kisses.
- In Southern and Eastern Europe, sliced kisses on the cheeks are a common form of greeting between friends and acquaintances.
- In Jordan, you give one kiss on the left cheek and several kisses on the right one, depending on your esteem for the person you met.
- In Latin America, kisses can be one, two or three. It depends on the place and the person. Contactless kisses are often used to greet both a new person and an old friend. Men are almost always expected to kiss women this way during greetings.
- In Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, kissing without contact between men "in the Italian style", for example in the style of soccer players, is quite common.
- In Greece, it is customary for men to exchange kisses without contact if they know each other well (for example, between distant relatives, good friends, and so on).
- In the Middle East, kissing on the cheek is common among people of the same sex. On the other hand, between people of different sexes it is not allowed, unless they are close relatives or spouses.
- In the Philippines, contactless kissing is a popular form of greeting between close friends or relatives. Usually, women kiss women or men kiss women. Older relatives often give younger relatives sliced kisses on the cheeks.
- In Malaysia and Indonesia, a younger family member is expected to touchlessly kiss the hand of an older relative as a sign of respect. Therefore, the air is pushed out through the nose in the direction of the hand of the elderly person, without contracting the lips, after which the hand of the elderly person is pressed to the forehead.
- In South, Central and East Asia, kisses on the cheeks - even those without contact - are not common and could be considered offensive, although they are spreading to metropolitan areas. Follow the example of the people around you.
Step 2. Observe the behavior of others
If you don't have the time to research a foreign culture, you can study how others act. By doing this, you will understand whether or not it is appropriate to give a contactless kiss.
- For example, if you are approaching the entrance and your guest is at the door greeting people, observe how they behave.
- See how people greet each other on the street and in bars. You will have a clearer idea of how the various levels of confidence manifest themselves.
Step 3. Search the Internet
If you haven't been able to find information on the rules of conduct regarding how to kiss in the place you need to go, a quick Google search should give it to you. Just search for "contactless kissing customs" and the name of the country or city to visit. However, take them with a grain of salt, as they don't necessarily apply in all situations.
You can also use your smartphone to do a quick search if you have forgotten and need to meet an important person within 10 minutes
Step 4. Ask a local
Don't be afraid to ask the locals what the customs are. Even if it is not polite to ask what is the most appropriate attitude to adopt at a given moment, if there are no particular difficulties during a conversation, it is not unacceptable to ask your interlocutor politely to explain how you greet each other in the place you are. visiting.
It can be especially useful if you are traveling to a remote area of a country, where the customs related to greetings are less well known
Advice
- If in doubt, shake hands.
- The contactless kiss is to show affection without actually giving it. To further strengthen the positivity of this gesture, smile and show momentum by asking your interlocutor how he is.
- If you're not sure how to say hello, look around and follow the example of the person you're greeting.
- Keep a sense of humor. Even if a greeting goes wrong, remember it's not the end of the world. If you screw it up, just smile and apologize. By playing down, you will be able to overcome the embarrassment of the moment.
