Kissing or just a firm handshake?

Bits and pieces by LoisJune 5, 2013

It used to be that you only ever kissed relatives and then it was more of a hug and maybe a little peck on the cheek, and usually it was only female relatives… well that was how it was in my family. Men to men and men to unknown females and unknown females to each other, a firm and sometimes hearty handshake. I’m talking about kisses of greeting not illicit snogging! Now everyone kisses when they meet or when they say goodbye, young people, old people, girls, and even boys give each other a hearty hug… even my husband sometimes hugs his friends which would have been unthought of twenty years ago. It used to seem hilarious to us as children when we saw French men kissing each other, now children shouldn’t even notice.

The dilemma comes with how many kisses… I think usually in England it is one (another dilemma is which cheek do you kiss, some people seem to be right cheek kisser, and others left) I’m used to my Spanish and French friends embracing me with two kisses, but when I first met my Dutch friends, good heavens, three kisses! I’ve been to the Netherlands many times now and I’m well into the three kisses, how nice it is when you’re pleased to see someone – kiss-kiss-kiss! We came back from our wonderful holiday with them and this week I met my Spanish friends and surprised them with a three kiss embrace… Will I ever remember continental kissing etiquette?!!

8 Comments

tinasrabbithole on June 5, 2013 at 1:53 pm
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Anything but a limp ‘roadkill’ handshake…

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1. Lois on June 5, 2013 at 3:55 pm
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  Oh that is the worst, especially when damp… damp and boneless… ugh!
  
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Stephen Hughes on June 5, 2013 at 2:58 pm
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I really like the wooden heart but I should shouldn’t I!
But kisses really gets my attention! (or is age passing me by too quickly)!

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1. Lois on June 5, 2013 at 4:01 pm
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  The wooden hearts were quite attractive, but really rough and ready compared to your wonderful work! oh and kisses… they just improve with age with the right person!
  
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  1. Stephen Hughes on June 5, 2013 at 4:45 pm
    
    I second that! Especially after a nice glass of wine (or a G&T in my girlfriends case)!
    
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  2. Lois on June 5, 2013 at 5:49 pm
    
    She has a case of g&t? I’m impressed! 😉
    
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  3. Stephen Hughes on June 5, 2013 at 4:47 pm
    
    I might not have sent out a note but I am having a 10-20% off page, on most of my bowls! Just in case there are any birthdays looming…
    
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  4. Lois on June 5, 2013 at 5:49 pm
    
    You are such a tempter!
    
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