About the kissing (during the Obamas' trip to Europe)

[Stinky The Clown]

Europeans kiss each other on the check much the way we hand shake. It is always at least on two cheeks, and can often involve a trip back to the first cheek for a triple.

They do this with a mutual arm embrace or they do it while shaking hands.

Europeans have less personal space than Americans.

Europeans are also very aware that Americans are really not big cheek kissers - particularly not at a diplomatic level - and some are downright uncomfortable about it. So Europeans tend to defer as politely as possible. You will often see a European sort of lean in a little and sorta offer a cheek to an American .... but not with any strong commitment. If the American appears to reciprocate, the cheek kisses are consummated. If there is no reciprocation, so be it. No one is offended.

It takes longer to explain this sort of test-and-feint thing that happens than to actually do it.

Carla Bruni did it to Barack Obama. I think her husband actually kissed Michelle Obama (but I'm not sure).

I have been at many, many official functions in Europe. If they know you know, they just do it. If they're not sure, they're okay being tentative. It is a sort of mutual respect thing.

In social situations where you're already acquainted, there's no hesitation whatever. Even men do it with other men.





I am amazed that the nooz (at least the peacock family of channels) is bleating on about this. Have these morons never been abroad?

[glowing]

1. I guess I missed the kiss and cheek-gate.. I have friends here thata Cuban that

do the cheek-kiss thing. Its what some people do. If you are open-minded, go with the flow, relax, and enjoy. There's nothing wrong with affection. We actually need more of it. I've noticed some groups of our young people in America are very open and welcome to hugging their friends and doing a kiss cheek thing... some people in America do appreciate what other people do in other cultures.. some are just assholes.

[applegrove]

2. I grew up with family friends who were partially french. They always do the two cheek thing without

fail.

[jenmito]

3. I saw Carla Bruni only shake Obama's hand (and that's what MSNBC reported.) Her husband kissed

Michelle on both cheeks, though.

[Sultana]

4. "cheek kisses are consummated"

This made me LOL

[HopeOverFear]

5. when Obama kissed Michelle on the cheek at the French town hall

the crowd went nuts.

[Teaser]

6. which is why I will never live in europe

I hate most physical contact. This would be a nightmare.

[ZombieHorde]

8. Just place a small piece of poo on each cheek and you should be safe. nt

[Teaser]

10. keeps everyone away but the Flems.

.

[Flying Dream Blues]

12. LOL!! nt

[Stinky The Clown]

19. :cough:

Phlegms?

[NYC Liberal]

11. Don't move to New York either

Plenty of physical contact ... just not the polite kind :P

[Teaser]

14. that I can handle!

my inner asperger's patient just doesn't enjoy any kind of touchy feely stuff.

[lunatica]

7. Kissing among acquintances is common in lots of Western countries

It's common in all Spanish speaking countries which is basically all of the American continent below the US and Spain, Cuba, etc.

[Colobo]

18. Of course, and among Hispanics over here as well.

[Hekate]

9. Why Stinky, you well mannered man of the world, you. I'm charmed.

My late MIL, a Viennese before WW II, always kissed others on both cheeks as a greeting. Thanks for explaining this for those that don't know.

As for NBC et al, sometimes I wonder if they are just ignorant or simply playing dumb for the boob-tube audience, whom they imagine to be ineducable. Feh!

Hekate

[chollybocker]

13. The two-cheek kiss is de rigeur

except in puritanical societies.

[FrenchieCat]

15. Kissing cheeks is usually reserved after you have met someone....

NOT normally DURING a first meeting.

That is why President Sakorzy kissed Michelle (has he had already met her),
but Ms. Bruni-Sakorzy did not kiss our President upon their first meeting.

[TahitiNut]

16. Yup.

I'm often amazed at how interpolation is presented as fact here. :rofl:

[Stinky The Clown]

20. I must be the kinda guy who people feel they know, even upon first meeting

That has not been my experience.

But, no matter .... how are we to discuss this in a way acceptable to you?

[Colobo]

17. Kissing is normal in most cultures. I don't understand the problem many people have here with it.

It's called affection, what so many people over here lack.

[lunatica]

21. It's also a common greeting gesture in families and with friends

In any country, including the US. Everyone knows you kiss your grandparents when you go visit them. Duh!