Greeting kiss which cheek

The Dutch keep it simple with a straightforward three-kiss rule : start with the right cheek, then left, and end with one more on the right. Also, like in Italy, men greet each other with handshakes unless they know each other very well. In Brazil, warm greetings that include a hug and a kiss or three!

While men often greet each other with a small hug, meetings between two women and women and men include kisses. Another South American country where greetings are warm and friendly, Argentina is no stranger to the air kiss.

And this applies for all interactions, including men meeting other men. A handshake in Chile is typical for first time meetings.

Once you get to know someone, a hug or one kiss on the cheek is the way to go. Be sure to have direct eye contact as well! Try Babbel. Toggle Menu. Ready to learn? Pick a language to get started! General Guidelines No Matter Where You Are In most countries where cheek kissing is the norm, you usually offer your right cheek first. All this to say that the cheek kiss is more art than science. For world travelers, a basic understanding of how it works is essential—make the wrong move and you risk offending the other person.

Below is a rough guide to keep you from accidentally swapping spit with a well-meaning local. Scott traces the kiss back to a peasant custom that was adopted by elites once lower classes began migrating into cities, suggesting that travelers are more likely to encounter kiss greetings in rural towns and villages than their metropolitan counterparts. In France alone, the count varies dramatically by region, according to a web survey of more than , citizens : Parisians consider two kisses the norm, while three is standard in Provence, and four throughout the Loire Valley.

A kiss, by name, has its charming differences—it's el beso in Spain, beijnhos in Portugal, beijos in Brazil, and beso-beso in the Philippines—but the logistics are fairly straightforward. Read the original article. By providing your email, you agree to the Quartz Privacy Policy. Skip to navigation Skip to content. Discover Membership. Editions Quartz. More from Quartz About Quartz. Follow Quartz. These are some of our most ambitious editorial projects.

By Mathieu Avanzi. Published November 6, This article is more than 2 years old. Sign me up. Update your browser for the best experience.