Here in France, it's common to greet people you meet by giving them a kiss on the cheeks & likewise, when you say goodbye. But exactly how times will depend on where you live. When I first moved to Ardeche, I had to condition myself to kiss everyone 3 times whereas in NY where I'd just lived for the past 4 years, the norm is just one peck. Then when I go to Paris, I have to remember that they only do it twice.
If you are ever in doubt, check out the map below. It's from this website Combien de bises ? One Frenchman, out of frustration (obviously he's not alone), developed the map, based on information submitted from people all over France. 2 seem to be the most common & as you can see, we're located in zone 3 & the north seem to be have a lot of 4 kisses.
But of course, this doesn't answer other perplexing questions like - With which cheek do you start ? Do you kiss when you meet somebody for the first time ? ....and this one because I wear glasses, do you remove your glasses when you kiss esp if the other person wears them too (to avoid the dreaded clinking of the glasses) ? Sigh who says living in France is easy.
If you are ever in doubt, check out the map below. It's from this website Combien de bises ? One Frenchman, out of frustration (obviously he's not alone), developed the map, based on information submitted from people all over France. 2 seem to be the most common & as you can see, we're located in zone 3 & the north seem to be have a lot of 4 kisses.
But of course, this doesn't answer other perplexing questions like - With which cheek do you start ? Do you kiss when you meet somebody for the first time ? ....and this one because I wear glasses, do you remove your glasses when you kiss esp if the other person wears them too (to avoid the dreaded clinking of the glasses) ? Sigh who says living in France is easy.
8 comments:
Very useful. My family and I were in Brittany a few weeks ago and noticed that they only do 1 kiss - very unusual for France we thought!
so whats the answers to the questions?
Start with right cheek or left cheek?
Should or should not kiss the first time u meet someone?
Hi Beth
Thank you for dropping by. You've got a yummy blog.
Yup you're right - Brittany is one of 2 places that do it only once.
Meng
Right or left ? Doesn't matter. Depends on what is being offered. I noticed that I tend to offer the left first.
First time you meet. Also depends. I always take my cue from the other person. If they offer their cheek, I kiss. If they offer their hand, I shake.
That was the cutest post I ever read! Love it!
Michele
Welcome. I love how you dedicated your blog in memory of your grandmother. Look forward to seeing more of your recipes.
Thanks for the post... well, not that I meet many French now. In the past, a French girl from Paris used to greet with three kisses. I always thought it was the case. Then I confused it with Polish custom, thinking they only kissed twice, but it's thrice on the cheeks. Guess it's easier with the Italians and Spaniards coz it's always twice.
I don't remember but do the Germans kiss on the cheeks ?
As far as I know, the correct German way is a handshake. Close friends hug.
But nowadays, young people do greet each other with a kiss or two on the cheeks, due to the supposed southern European influence?
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