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Have British people always kissed each other on the cheek?

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  • trinidadone
    trinidadone Posts: 3,375 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    receiving a kiss on each check, what ever next, maybe you should report it to the police, outrageous behavior.....not................just grow some balls
    Trinidad - I have a number of needs. Don't shoot me down if i get something wrong!!
  • FloJ07
    FloJ07 Posts: 3 Newbie
    I've done it for years with family and friends and friends of friends, it's been happening for so long. I do agree us British can be so "stiff" but each to their own too! It can really break the ice and make for a relaxing evening or whatever. I can't be doing with all this shaking of hands its so business like, I have enough of that at work thanks. Learn to chill out peps 😘
  • Tygermoth
    Tygermoth Posts: 1,413 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Having just returned from a funeral where half the mourners were French i just went with the flow. That's what you do, it just another version of social etiquette, just not one i am used to.
    Please note I have a cognitive disability - as such my wording can be a bit off, muddled, misspelt or in some cases i can miss out some words totally...
  • seashore22
    seashore22 Posts: 1,443 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You call it 'stiff upper-lip' others may call it 'appropriate boundaries' :)

    I would certainly call it "appropriate boundaries" in a work situation. I would say kissing on the cheek is as rare as hen's teeth in a work environment and almost unknown when introduced to a total stranger.

    I will hug people I know who are "huggers", but I've also had close friends for decades who I have never hugged. It doesn't mean that our relationship isn't close and sincere.

    The only people I kiss are my husband and grown up children. Happy to keep it like that.
  • mark5
    mark5 Posts: 1,364 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    If you watch TV shows like Towie the first minute of every conversation is taken up with all the kisses, it's daft and way over the top, I just say Hi.
  • Dird
    Dird Posts: 2,703 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    mark5 wrote: »
    If you watch TV shows like Towie the first minute of every conversation is taken up with all the kisses, it's daft and way over the top, I just say Hi.
    Same on Love Island
    Mortgage (Nov 15): £79,950 | Mortgage (May 19): £71,754 | Mortgage (Sep 22): £0
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  • easy
    easy Posts: 2,532 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I'm a lady in my mid-50's and generally find it all a bit un-nerving, it certainly never featured in my early career, I agree it seems to have become "a thing" in the late 90's early 2000's.

    I wouldn't think of "air-kissing" a work colleague, although one of my directors (male) did do it to me on our last work day before Christmas last year, I felt so awkward, i treat him in a very formal manner all the rest of the year.
    I started to see a new chiropodist this year, and she insists on a hug and air kiss at the end of each appointment - I can't say I look forward to it.

    The ONLY exception to this is my husband's ex-boss, who we now see socially now and again. He always greets me very enthusiastically with a handshake and a kiss on each cheek. He is a very charming French man, it seems so natural from him, and it always makes me feel as if I was the person he most wanted to see on that occasion! Strange, isn't it ??
    I try not to get too stressed out on the forum. I won't argue, i'll just leave a thread if you don't like what I say. :)
  • selement
    selement Posts: 518 Forumite
    I find cheek kissing people awkward (other than my husband). My parents family all insist on it (their siblings, cousins etc) but my friends just hug. I will never lead a cheek kiss scenario because I'd rather not do it! My parents themselves don't insist on the cheek kiss.
    Trying to lose weight (13.5lb to go)
  • hazyjo
    hazyjo Posts: 15,475 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    We had a second viewing on a house yesterday and the lovely owners greeted us both with a kiss! He's Italian so that may have contributed. They feel like old friends already. Let's hope they accept our offer tomorrow! :beer:

    Jx
    2024 wins: *must start comping again!*
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