Doubled sided kiss Greeting?

Question

Is it common to do that greeting anymore? When is it appropriate? How do you pull it off?

Answer 1

The Double-Sided kiss is customary among Europeans and Israelis.  Most Americans simply end up rubbing cheeks on one side.

To "pull it off," you simply need to make sure that the person you are kissing meets you halfway, so you don't extend yourself out awkwardly.  Also, it helps to hold the other person's upper arm/shoulders as the kiss is performed.

That way, they can't run away.  ;)

Answer 2

it depends on who it is.

it's really common in spain. sometimes italians do it, too.

if you're trying to kiss a girl, i recommend that you don't do it..

it's probably better for grandmas and old aunts...lol

Answer 3

My girlfriend gave me a double sided kiss in 2003 ans I still get aroused every time I think about it. I'd give up every day in the rest of my life, if I could get another one from her. Next time I'm going to stick my tong in her mouth and take her by the hand and lead her to her apartment/ home and it's going to be a marathon. Then she is going to know I haven't waited almost 10 years for nothing. Wake up Barbara you know you may have me tong tied but I'm like Houdini I can untie any knot in the world!

Answer 4

It happened to me some months ago, so it is still common in some places. What I do is to just kiss them in one cheek, and only if them pull me to kiss the other one, I do it. Is a movement that fells inmediatly, so dont worry about it.

Answer 5

yeah i see people do it all the time...especially in Europe!

Answer 6

True, it´s common in France, under certain circumstances in Germany, Switzerland (such as: only women) and other European countries. You usually kiss once on each side, even though in rural areas of France, people seem to go up to four (Parisian say, because "provincialists" have time to waste). ;)

What people seem to get wrong though is the part about actually kissing others´ cheeks. You´re not supposed to do that! Unless with very good friends, you might really kiss then. What you do is, you lean by the person´s face and more or less "kiss" the air, making a kissing sound. Then repeat on the other side.

It is appropriate in more private encounters. You don´t kiss-greet business partners. It fits with friends, family members and people you know well or have met often. :)

If one person comes closer and says hello - and you don´t want them to "kiss" you or don´t want to "kiss" you, that is: get too close for you own liking, simply dash out an arm and hand to indicate that your preferred way of greeting them would be a handshake. :)

Answer 7

when you feel comfortable the person you do greet will not slap you... basically if you know they are comfortable with it

Answer 8

It's become a lot more common over here in the UK - ten years ago you didn't really see anyone greet someone that way, but now even my family does it...  If you're not sure if someone is going to go for the second smacker - keep eye contact and smile, then at least you haven't pulled away, and if the kiss isn't forthcoming, then you've just extended your friendly greeting a moment longer.  Or go straight in for the second kiss yourself - confidence is everything.

Answer 9

It is common here in Hungary if you are close to the person. Men will do it to each other if they are close friends.

It seems to work best if it is left cheek then right. That way nobody's nose gets in the way.