French Kissing: Just how many cheek kisses to give

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This is a great and important insight into a potentially akward situation experienced by not only first time visitors to France, but also long time residents of the country. Every time I go to Lyon, I have to refamiliarize myself with the fact that they do the left-to-right cheek bise as opposed to the right/left combo practiced in Paris. However, I have to admit that one of my proudest moments in France was in Rennes, where I graduated from two bises status to the more personal four bises greetings with the host family I stayed with.
Oddly enough, a part from the various slip up when it comes to bis-ing in different parts of France, I find that when I go back to the states I feel incredibly akward when deciding how to greet people I don't know. Hug? Handshake? Nod of the head? The bise seems to cover it all and is something I've come to appreciated greatly.

6-24-2008 @ 11:06AM

Anna Brones said...

Emily- good call, greetings in the States are equally as awkward... I too prefer the bise over the handshake vs. hug dilemma!

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