To kiss or not to kiss, that is the question.
I don’t mean to sound super American but this whole double cheek kiss thing is very strange.
And I can not figure out the rules surrounding this European greeting…
When do you do it? When do you not?
You meet someone for the first time and they immediately go in for the double cheek kiss. Isn’t that kind of intimate for your first time meeting someone??
If you’re sitting at a table and someone walks in and says hi to you – do you stand up and do the double kiss? Or do you stay seated and keep to yourself?
When you already know someone but its your first time seeing them that day – do you do the double kiss?
These are some of my inner thoughts / inner monologues I have throughout the day. I have internal struggles every time I see someone new or familiar.
I have tried to ask fellow Spaniards what the rules are but every time I ask everyone just laughs because they think its the funniest thing that I am so confused by this. And then I get no answers.
But I am not kidding, I don’t understand… someone help! I’m not trying to be funny ( which apparently I am hilarious ) but the American needs some detailed rules here. Please.
I have been in so many awkward situations here where I do not know what to do so I do nothing… People come up to me and I just stand back like the American I am and people then in turn feel awkward and are probably thinking “Why isn’t she leaning in for a kiss? Do I give her kisses?” and so we both just stand there awkwardly looking at each other. Great times.
But then I don’t want to go in for it every single time because then what if I’m not supposed to do it all the time?
Someone please help this American out.
And people are constantly asking “You don’t do this in America, right?” or “You don’t touch each other in America, right?”. Yeah, I would say America has more of a personal space bubble and the only people that are allowed to enter this bubble are close friends and family?
But it seems to be so funny to everyone that I do not know when or when not to do the double kiss greeting. I know, I’m funny, I’m a great time.
Just kidding but I’m glad my awkwardness is coming off as funny and not rude.
I am starting to get used to this greeting, I still don’t know when or when not I am supposed to do this, but the actual act of the double kiss is getting easier.
Hopefully, as time goes on I will figure out the timing of it all but until then I’m just going to continue being my awkward self and see how things go.
But until then:
*Kiss Kiss* Ciao!