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Idk why people are going on as if family members are some sort of exception. I have never ever kissed a family member except my mother and my grandparents - infact I have only ever hugged my grandfathers, and that is rare.
I personally would feel disgusting if I kissed my sister.
Location: Near Tours, France about 47°10'N 0°25'E
2,855 posts, read 5,236,576 times
Reputation: 1957
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmptrwlt
I have to agree.
?? really ?? I knew that in Anglo countries were not especially very family-oriented and that physical contacts were limited, but I must say I'm bit surprised it is to this point. How do you greet your brothers, sisters, mother, father, cousins ?? Do you handshake your own sister?? Or just say "Hi"??
For men, yes. It's not uncommon to see fathers kissing their young (male) children as a way of showing affection but other than that, you don't see men kissing each other. Even shaking hands is rather formal and mostly used for special occasions (congratulations, introductions, formal goodbyes, holidays, etc). Most people, men and women, just greet each other verbally instead of physically.
The idea of greeting your family members with a kiss seems rather strange to me. When I lived in Wallonia, I stayed with a local family for a few months and they insisted that I kiss all of them in the morning when I woke up and in the evening when I went to bed - and everytime I left the house and came back. If people came to visit (whom I'd never met before) I had to kiss them hello and goodbye as well, if I didn't it would be considered disrespectful. I guess it's fine if you're used to it but for me, it got quite tiresome after a while.
Location: Near Tours, France about 47°10'N 0°25'E
2,855 posts, read 5,236,576 times
Reputation: 1957
Quote:
Originally Posted by LindavG
The idea of greeting your family members with a kiss seems rather strange to me. When I lived in Wallonia, I stayed with a local family for a few months and they insisted that I kiss all of them in the morning when I woke up and in the evening when I went to bed - and everytime I left the house and came back. If people came to visit (whom I'd never met before) I had to kiss them hello and goodbye as well, if I didn't it would be considered disrespectful. I guess it's fine if you're used to it but for me, it got quite tiresome after a while.
Well, that's like that in french culture, wallonia included. I guess that in Flanders it must be more like in your country. To me, that sounds to be a lack of affection to not have at least a bit of a physical contact with your relatives, its sound so cold to me. I'm in my 30's, and if I meet my father or Brother (obviously even more my mother!) i do "la bise" to them. The number of kisses depend of the region. As I have moved a lot in France I do 2,3 or 4 kisses depending of my mood
You're right, in many cases (a friend introduce you someone in a part for exemple) we also have the occasion to kiis a foreigner; but in that case it is more likely to man/woman or woman/woman rather tha male/male (for this you need a closer proximity)
?? really ?? I knew that in Anglo countries were not especially very family-oriented and that physical contacts were limited, but I must say I'm bit surprised it is to this point. How do you greet your brothers, sisters, mother, father, cousins ?? Do you handshake your own sister?? Or just say "Hi"??
I just say hello. Its actually seen as really bad kissing siblings. People would be talking behind your back its that bad.
I hug my parents, grandparents and sisters. Kissing almost always stop when you are not a small child anymore. I wouldn't be disgusted if I cheek-kissed my sister, but why should I want to do that?
I hug my parents, grandparents and sisters. Kissing almost always stop when you are not a small child anymore. I wouldn't be disgusted if I cheek-kissed my sister, but why should I want to do that?
I agree with this except I don't have sisters but I still wouldn't kiss my female cousins (that are not young children)
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,606 posts, read 55,798,724 times
Reputation: 11862
Quote:
Originally Posted by french user
?? really ?? I knew that in Anglo countries were not especially very family-oriented and that physical contacts were limited, but I must say I'm bit surprised it is to this point. How do you greet your brothers, sisters, mother, father, cousins ?? Do you handshake your own sister?? Or just say "Hi"??
Kissing siblings isn't that typical in Anglo countries. Depending on the situation usually just a hug.
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