The difference between American and European greetings has long been known.\u00a0 The American prefers a firm handshake, while a European opens with a kiss on the cheek.\u00a0 It has been the subject of many a TV comedy faux pas.\u00a0 But in modern times, meeting people of different culture is commonplace.\u00a0 So in honor of this month\u2019s Olympic opening, let\u2019s pucker up for a look at the etiquette behind a greeting kiss.<\/p>\n
The Social Norm<\/strong><\/p>\n It may be unsurprising that the social \u201crule\u201d for kissing is as murky as any other.\u00a0 Not only does it vary between the US and Europe, but also between different countries worldwide.\u00a0 A Russian might kiss you three times on alternating cheeks, while in Italy two kisses on the cheek is acceptable.<\/p>\n As if that is confusing enough, who you can kiss is as widely varied as how you can kiss.\u00a0 In the US kissing is usually reserved to family and very close friends, while in Italy kissing is common amongst acquaintances.<\/p>\n Though the standards of social kissing may be blurry, it\u2019s important to recognize situations in which kissing could be a mistake that creates an awkward situation.<\/p>\n Not on the Lips!<\/strong><\/p>\n You kiss your husband or wife on the lips.\u00a0 A peck on the lips may even be common between members of your family.\u00a0 Yet a social kiss on the lips with an associate or acquaintance may be a definite faux pas.\u00a0 Even in cultures where the kiss serves as \u201chello,\u201d kissing on the lips is seldom considered the standard.<\/p>\n Kiss Me at\u2026the Office?<\/strong><\/p>\n While kissing on your own time may be the norm, kissing on the job is usually a no-no.\u00a0 This can be a particularly confusing affair if you\u2019re conducting international business.\u00a0 If you\u2019re meeting with associates you may suspect to be kissers, offering a handshake is always a safe way to keep everyone happy.<\/p>\n If you are the kissing kind, make sure to take into consideration that your associate or client may not be.\u00a0 While a greeting kiss may become more acceptable after a long-term relationship has been established, a smooch to soon may be a huge turn off and a way to lose associates.<\/p>\n