How common is it for women to kiss strangers on the cheek?

[JeepGirl118]

Not common at all with me, won't find my lips on a stranger's cheek. I do not even like to shake hands and will wiggle out of that by expressing that I am coming down with a cold and would prefer to not pass it to them - works every time. Not a cold person - just a germ-a-phob.

[Mooseketeer]

I'm French and in Southern Europe most people kiss friends, family on the cheeks. With a stranger you might first shake hands then once you have been properly introduced the next time would be a kiss on the cheeks. You would probably kiss a stranger on the cheeks if introduced by someone you knew well , a good friend of a friend that sort of thing.

I grew up kissing people on the cheeks as a matter of course. The difficult thing in France is that different regions have different etiquette and the kisses vary from 2 to 4... Not always easy to know. I kissed my parents and grand-parents every single night before going to bed until I left home...

I think it is just a cultural thing. I am very affectionate by nature but living in the UK for over two decades, and 3 years in the US before that has somewhat changed my spontaneity in that respect.

[noela]

Originally Posted by Mooseketeer

I'm French and in Southern Europe most people kiss friends, family on the cheeks. With a stranger you might first shake hands then once you have been properly introduced the next time would be a kiss on the cheeks. You would probably kiss a stranger on the cheeks if introduced by someone you knew well , a good friend of a friend that sort of thing.

I grew up kissing people on the cheeks as a matter of course. The difficult thing in France is that different regions have different etiquette and the kisses vary from 2 to 4... Not always easy to know. I kissed my parents and grand-parents every single night before going to bed until I left home...

I think it is just a cultural thing. I am very affectionate by nature but living in the UK for over two decades, and 3 years in the US before that has somewhat changed my spontaneity in that respect.

I've experienced the kiss variation in France, it's certainly confusing lol. I think 3 kisses win, though

I like the warmth all these rituals imply but I've never got used to kissing so often, despite being Southern European born and bred. I've always been more physically distant than most Spaniards and I would rather just shake hands or, even better, nod!

The UK was great for me regarding this, btw (I lived there)

[dgfurman]

It's definately a cultural thing. In France, you kiss each cheek, 2 or 3 times total, dep. on the region of France. In Germany, it's a handshake. Anything more seems "odd". Here in Colombia, it's an air kiss on the cheek. In the States, it's a handshake, or sometimes a hug (dep. on the relationship that you have).

I have been kissed on the cheek in the US, but that was only where there is a large hispanic population (Miami), so it seemed normal there. But if I were to receive a kiss on the cheek elsewhere in the US, it would be awkward, and possibly pretentious.

I think you just have to look at the cultural background of the kiss giver to see where that comes from.

[beach.guy]

Not common at all in the US. I do not even shake hands with strangers. Howie Mandel has the right idea. I am very guarded when it comes to my personal space.