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Do people greet each other by kissing and hugging in your country? В вашей стране люди приветствуют друг друга поцелуями и объятьями?

страна	мужчины	женщины
	целуются	пожимают руки	обнимаются	целуются	пожимают руки	обнимаются
Британия, Тереза, консультант по вопросам образования				целуют близких родственников щеку – приветствие и на ночь

It's for the school research. Thank you.

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Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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19 Answers

Teresa Pole Baker Gouveia, educational consultant

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I am English, and was brought up to only kiss close relatives on the cheek, as a greeting or when going to bed. Kissing and touching was a rare thing, and I would never dream of greeting a friend with either a kiss or a handshake. It was enough to say hello. Later, in business, I learned how to give a firm handshake. Nowadays, kissing on one cheek has become more common, but still not widespread, and it's mostly an "air" kiss.

When I moved to Portugal 27 years ago, I had to adapt to new ways; here, women generally greet each other with a kiss on each cheek, and men greet each other with a handshake or sometimes a slap on the back. Men sometimes greet women with a kiss too, but mostly in situations of familiarity. Family members and close friends may hug each other. In Lisbon and the surrounding area, some people restrict themselves to one chic kiss.

Written 25 May • View Upvotes • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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Kess Efski • Request Bio

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My observations:

It's similar (to Quebec) in France with two exceptions: men kiss on the cheek when they are family, or close (usually long-time) friends. This extends to musicians; male musicians (and Gypsies) in France kiss each other on the cheeks (it's usually just the cheeks touching), because "musicians are family" (regardless of age or style of music).
The other exception is the most obvious: when introduced (usually; if not, when saying good-bye) males and females greet (or say bye) with a kiss on the cheeks (sometimes just the cheeks touching, sometimes an actual peck, it varies), and I've seen that in corporate settings as well (depending on the number of colleagues, it can take a good 20-30mn to go kiss everybody... and then go have a coffee)!

It's about the same in other French-speaking countries in Europe and Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Gabon, DRC and Congo), though in some stricter islamic republics (Mauritania, Mali, Niger), it's frowned upon. In all the African countries above, the mores are more relaxed the higher up the socio-economic echelon, and stricter down the ladder, as you might have guessed.

In the US, it varies based on the region. The 'shoulder-level hug' has become the norm in non-formal, or professional, settings, particularly in middle, high-schools and college, except amongst the various Latino communities, who prefer un abrazo y un besito. In L.A. (and even more so in Miami), it's pretty common to see newbies shocked at the sight of their Latino colleagues kissing each other (female to female and female to male; men will hug it out).

In Mexico, it's a mix between US Latino style and native Mexican style, depending on the industry, region, socioeconomic context, and so on. Mexicans are very tactile though, kissing or not;)

In Brazil, they are surprisingly less effusive than I thought they would be. I've been three times (twice for pleasure, and once for work, a couple of months ago), and there is some Latin-style kissing, but a certain degree of familiarity (time or proximity) probably needs to be present before the cheek to cheek thing happens (between men and women; men just hug or shake hands, depending on rank and familiarity).

In Singapore, and most of SE Asia, greetings are very formal, except among artists, actors and musicians, who prefer to greet each other with a warmer, more relaxed hug and cheek contact (short of an actual kiss).

In Indonesia, men greeting women with a hug, much less a peck on the cheek, is rarely seen outside of international hotels, upscale clubs and Bali. This applies across the board (Muslims, obviously, but also Christians, Hindus and Buddhists). Decorum is preserved in public. I recall India being even stricter, even in Bombay and Delhi.

I could go on about many other countries, but those are fairly representative, and besides, other Quorans will no doubt contribute their expert insights.

Written 6 Jun • View Upvotes

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Maryse Lapierre-Landry, Biomedical Engineering PhD candidate, BS physics

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In Quebec women kiss women and men on the cheeks in familiar gatherings (like family or close friends). It's an air kiss with cheeks touching, left cheek first, then right. Men shake hands with other men. Some people hug.

Outside of the family and close circle of friends, most people shake hands.

I say Quebec because I know it's not done the same all over Canada. I think they have similar habits in France but the number of kisses and the order of cheeks change in different regions.

Written 22 May • View Upvotes

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Kristina Kučanda • Request Bio

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(Croatia) Yes - it isn't "obligatory", but some people do it with friends - mostly females, especially as far as kissing is concerned (on the cheeks - I don't know anyone who'd kiss anyone except their romantic partner in mouth).

Written 21 May • View Upvotes • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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Robert Charles Lee, BSc (Hons) Psych & Stats, 1981, Univ. of London

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I'm in Hong Kong now and this is a predominantly Chinese society, although different in 'Chineseness' in many respects to the Chinese society of mainland China. No, people here don't kiss or hug in greetings here, even among close family relatives.

Thanks for the A2A.

Written 23 May • View Upvotes • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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Jian Sun, it's all about relationships.

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No, in old fashion, the Chinese men greet by holding their own hands together like an 2 layer empty fists 6 inch away from their chest front. In other words, they shaking their own hands, sort of like what you see from the martial arts movies. Lady's greeting is bit more complicated and my parents never taught me about it. So you have to wait for answers from girls. In terms of the modern fashion, there is no difference between our 2 countries, or any other countries, kissing hugging hand waving more or less.

Written 21 May • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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Anonymous

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I live in Miami, and I think because there is such a large hispanic and Haitian population, kissing on the cheek as a greeting is extremely common. The kisses are usually woman to woman or woman to man; men greet each with a handshake. Just saying hello or waving is kind of seen as awkward and rude. My parents are from Haiti and whenever I go it is customary to greet everyone with a cheek to cheek kiss, sometimes single, sometimes double (depending on preference). Although, when I was in Haiti and my grandparents male friends from Turkey visited, my grandmother told me to only shake their hand and absolutely no kissing. Also, when they have missionaries from central parts of the United States staying in their home, I could tell when I greeted them with a kiss, that they were a little bit shocked by it.

Written 8 Sep

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Mary Ann Slavcheff • Request Bio

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In the United States public kissing and hugging are often considered inappropriate. Still people do show affection. I think it is beautiful for parents to hug and kiss their children, for brothers and sisters and friends to show affection. But I do agree with most of my countrymen that romantic couples need to show restraint in public. Bedrooms are easy to find.

Written 24 May • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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John Lees • Request Bio

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I live in the US. There are several regions here, each with their own customs. In the south, people do not tend to hug and kiss as a greeting. I've seen it happen, but even where I live there is a diverse group of people. Personally, I only hug and kiss my wife.

Written 22 May • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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Akash Sethi • Request Bio

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In India we usually just go with a handshake. A hug and kiss do happen pretty often, but it's not the norm.

Written 21 May • View Upvotes • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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Bretton Palm, Lifelong follower of Miss Manners

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Straight men never kiss upon greeting in the US; they sometimes hug. Hugging is more common among women and gay men. We generally don't kiss upon greeting here.

Written 21 May • View Upvotes • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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Heinrich Müller, reads-a-lot

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In northern Germany, people aren't touchy -- unless you are dealing with family. Kissing and hugging are generally not done in public.

Written 21 May • View Upvotes • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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Jonathan Mahavra, 5th year student at the Biology Program

63 Views

No kissing at all during formal occasions, sometimes hugging if it's between family and friends.

Written 21 May • View Upvotes • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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Mark Rigotti, CPA - 30+ years - Owner small local CPA firm.

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Often if there is a personal connection - never if only acquaintances. USA

Written 21 May • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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Sue Murphy, CFE (certified fraud examiner)

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Thank you for the A2A. In the US, generally people do not kiss and hug to greet each other. Occasionally they do though, especially if they are emotionally close.

Written 21 May • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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Jess Nore • Request Bio

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Canada:
Adults generally shake hands.
If I'm seeing a close friend, that I dont see daily, small hug.

My Croatian relatives cheek-kiss.

Written 22 May

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John W Cohen, Counseled a fair share of colleagues / employees

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men don't great other men by kissing and hugging in the US. Women on the other hand do great in such a manner if they are friends.

Written 22 May • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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Rukhsana Rasheed, Learner

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No, not in Pakistan.May be handshake.

Written 21 May • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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Vijay Kiran • Request Bio

38 Views

No

Written 21 May • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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Addisu Mesele

In Ethiopia,,,men shake hands or hug.women kiss and hug.

Written 21 May • View Upvotes • Asked to answer by Марина Бурлакова (англонемецкий)

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