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Laughing Mirror

(4,185 posts)

78. Oh, so it's a violation of your personal space then

Sat May 19, 2012, 11:28 AM

May 2012

In my many years in Paris, I have only encountered one man (a visiting American) and one woman (a visiting Australian) who made it plain at being introduced to my friends that they did not go for the "faire la bise" thing. So it is a peculiarity I could respect, even though I admit at first it seemed off-putting to me. I'd heard of people who didn't like their space violated in that way, just hadn't met any before.

At any rate, if you ever come over to my house for dinner, I'll try to remember to extend my welcome to you with a hug, and not with a bise. You may feel free to set me straight if I forget!

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Highlight:

Is Will Smith homophobic? [View all] apples and oranges May 2012 OP

Don't know Catherine Vincent May 2012 #1

slight overreaction brettdale May 2012 #2

+1 Zorra May 2012 #4

I doubt it. MrSlayer May 2012 #3

+1 Jamaal510 May 2012 #21

No, the reporter's actions were inapproraiate. Incitatus May 2012 #5

Totally agree. He would scared the shit out of me. Booster May 2012 #20

+1 same thought nt littlewolf May 2012 #54

That's deaniac21 May 2012 #6

No, having your personal space invaded by someone and being offended... joshcryer May 2012 #7

No. ForgoTheConsequence May 2012 #8

Seems like it. He was uncomfortable with the hug. morningfog May 2012 #9

Ok. ForgoTheConsequence May 2012 #11

Context matters. morningfog May 2012 #14

Except..... ForgoTheConsequence May 2012 #18

I can just say, I wouldn't react that way. morningfog May 2012 #19

That's you... Cave_Johnson May 2012 #24

Maybe just old-fashioned and prudish? morningfog May 2012 #25

Sorry, but that is not the case for all. Lilyeye May 2012 #34

"amorous interview methods" -- I don't think we're talking about a mere peck on the cheek. LiberalAndProud May 2012 #42

It wasn't kisses on the cheek, he was going for lip kissing. joshcryer May 2012 #30

You mean they're not a big deal to YOU cali May 2012 #51

False. I live in France and that's what they do. I FUCKIN' HATE IT! vaberella May 2012 #46

It is common practice in France to "faire la bise" on both cheeks Laughing Mirror May 2012 #65

They got over it. They remembered I'm the American. vaberella May 2012 #70

Oh, so it's a violation of your personal space then Laughing Mirror May 2012 #78

lol Liberal_in_LA May 2012 #76

Ummmm zappaman May 2012 #10

What does that mean? Jazzgirl May 2012 #13

Probably the rumor that Will Smith is bisexual. vaberella May 2012 #71

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl May 2012 #16

Yup, a friend in the business obamanut2012 May 2012 #32

Whatever. Until you are with a person on a daily basis you have no room to judge. vaberella May 2012 #47

I know what you're referring to and I've heard the same thing. PragmaticLiberal May 2012 #58

LOL peace pilgrim 19 May 2012 #68

He just recently supported Obama's announcement on supporting marriage equality justiceischeap May 2012 #12

YES. Any man who reacts with any negativity to an unwanted kiss from another man Nye Bevan May 2012 #15

What if the Jewish guy had one leg? cherokeeprogressive May 2012 #37

If it was a woman XemaSab May 2012 #17

Bingo- That's my point in this. richmwill May 2012 #27

Seriously etherealtruth May 2012 #52

yep Liberal_in_LA May 2012 #77

He may just not like intimate physical contact from a stranger. Codeine May 2012 #22

Prolly not. NYC_SKP May 2012 #23

No, it is not homophobic for a hetero male to not like the non-consentual kiss of a man. nt Comrade_McKenzie May 2012 #26

As a heterosexual man, I wouldn't want a non-consentual kiss from a man or a woman mythology May 2012 #29

I would not draw that conclusion. pa28 May 2012 #28

I remember a big deal made for his same sex movie kiss Capt. Obvious May 2012 #31

Yes. And the kiss was simulated. UnrepentantLiberal May 2012 #41

He got off lightly. Zanzoobar May 2012 #33

Will Smith supports Gay Rights, and Didn't he play a Gay Character in some Movie ? JI7 May 2012 #35

Yes he did play a gay role. vaberella May 2012 #48

That was actually his breakout film role in 1993 RZM May 2012 #50

Will Smith is a Scientologist. IIRC they really don't like gays. kestrel91316 May 2012 #36

Tell that to John Travolta and Tom Cruise Ter May 2012 #40

Oh, I know all about that story and have some inside corroboration, lol. kestrel91316 May 2012 #49

Wikipedia says he denies that Orangepeel May 2012 #44

I think it's unfair to judge under these circumstances. Akoto May 2012 #38

Now it's homophobic to not want to get kissed by a man? Ter May 2012 #39

i just saw the video and it wasn't that bad, Smith was happy with hugging the guy JI7 May 2012 #43

No. I do not believe that's homophobic. I get really weird in France when they do that. vaberella May 2012 #45

Who gives a shit what Will Smith thinks? randome May 2012 #53

No. Men don't routinely kiss in our society treestar May 2012 #55

Personal space is a fundamental part of any self defense school. IDemo May 2012 #56

If Will Smith had been a woman... cynatnite May 2012 #57

The dude was Russian. The Midway Rebel May 2012 #59

As many times as Will Smith has been in Europe Laughing Mirror May 2012 #74

It is interesting to me that the consensus in this thread is suggests... The Midway Rebel May 2012 #82

Actually, I heard he was bisexual. ellie May 2012 #60

It was a justified reaction, imo Dash87 May 2012 #61

No. It could be considered assault to forcibly kiss someone w/o consent. nt Honeycombe8 May 2012 #62

Celebrities are supposed to let reporters do whatever they want at these events Enrique May 2012 #63

Nnnnnnnope cherokeeprogressive May 2012 #64

If Will Smith was Willamina Smith peace pilgrim 19 May 2012 #66

Pushing off unwanted affection is not necessarily homophobic. Brickbat May 2012 #67

A woman would have slapped a strange man trying to kiss her, what is wrong with Will reacting? Pisces May 2012 #69

Thats the reaction I would have if a stranger of either sex did that to me Marrah_G May 2012 #72

Smith handled it perfectly, imo. gulliver May 2012 #73

No, Will is not a homophobe. Not at all. Bluenorthwest May 2012 #75

Nope. Prism May 2012 #79

the perfect smilie for this thread Liberal_in_LA May 2012 #80

Oh good grief no. underseasurveyor May 2012 #81