I don't do social kissing either. I don't like people coming into my space, without me saying they can come into my space. A simple hi does me, don't see why we have to kiss lol.
I feel your pain. In my country, people kiss all the time. Even at work, for cheese's sake! And I can tell you there are people at work I'd rather not have to kiss every day! I tried keeping my distances and shaking hands only but that works when you're a newbie. When people start liking you they want to kiss, and not agreeing is considered offensive. *sigh*
So with you on that. One kiss, two kiss, no kiss. I have no idea. I might just go in for a full blown snog next time someone goes for the social kiss - that will stop them in their tracks!
Haha don't go to the Netherlands then, we kiss everyone three times. At least, there's a clear rule and usually it's done affectionately, instead of empty air-kissing. ;)
It is a total minefield isn't it and I hate that bit where you aren't sure how posh the person kissing you considers themselves to be and you are left hovering in the middle as they never seem to give a body language clue whether the one side was enough or if they think they are really posh and are coming back for more. Hideous. And as for that annoying friend who always always smears her nasty peach frosty lipstick all over your face and then RUBS IT OFF taking all your make up with it, kill me now - I did actually tell one friend if she didn't again I would insist we only shook hands. She loved me!
I dont do touching strangers. Shaking hands I guess is ok in certain situations (business situations) but if you go to a wedding say and people want to shake your hand or kiss etc, WHY?? Why cant they just say hello like normal people.
And hugging goodbye to strangers. Or anyone who isnt your partner or family. Just weird. "Oh I had a lovely time meeting you, goodbye *goes in for hug*" GO AWAY.
Weddings and other social gatherings make me want to die. Everyone feels the need to touch you when you first meet. A wave will do. Infact just a hello will do.
great post! in australia, from my experience, i tend to relate social kissing with social class - growing up in a working class migrant family it would be weird if i air-kiss or even exchanged a cheek-to-cheek with my childhood friends. however, in career and 'newer' social circle it's almost expected and a way of fitting in. never really thought about it until now ... but i think it has a lot to do with social class. having said that, having a thai background where any form of PDA is unsightly ... i still find it a little odd. again, great read.
Lol, I'm totally with you here...hugs and handshakes cool - social awkward kisses ney...a lot of the time it's just all for show as in "oh dahhling, dahling..." so pretentious! Totally agree with you on the whole lippy point :-)
I know..it's all so awkward! I tell some people I don't like it so they half-remember for the next time - dive in for the kiss, remember I don't want to by which time I've committed so I'm left unwillingly pecking at someone leaping out of the way..arghhh!!
Urgh, even in kissing countries it's awkward. I went from a place where they do 2 kisses to a place where they do 1, but I got muddled up and did 2 kisses, and I could see the look of surprise on the other's friend, and I cringed when I realised my mistake. I actually like kissing, because in kissing countries the rules are pretty set, and I LIKE knowing the rules. It's when the rules aren't set that it gets complicated, particularly here in the UK. Also, most people, thankfully! do cheek-to-cheek kisses. I find it's men (in kissing countries) who do the sloppy kisses, and only some. I hate, hate, hate wet kisses! Gordita
This is so funny and so true. Did I kiss you last time we met? Now I'm worrying...
The worst for me though is my father in law. He's not a social kisser either, but as everybody else in the family is kissing to say hello/goodbye, he feels he has to kiss too. It's always that awkward moment where I don't know which way to turn my head. Makes me shudder thinking about the awkwardness...
A total minefield I agree. If everyone did it then that would be fine but because you never know where people stand on the issue, I always just stand there looking a little bit stand-offish hoping people will just say hi and not attempt anything else! With good friends I havent seen for ages though a hug is always nice. But someone I've just met? No thanks.
British people usually go for one kiss and us foreigners go for two. But never a wet kiss, ever, it is more like airkissing but with cheeks touching :-) In Sweden we hug, but only if we know the person ;-) Kissing is deemed pretentious in Sweden...
24 comments:
I don't do social kissing either. I don't like people coming into my space, without me saying they can come into my space. A simple hi does me, don't see why we have to kiss lol.
I feel your pain. In my country, people kiss all the time. Even at work, for cheese's sake! And I can tell you there are people at work I'd rather not have to kiss every day! I tried keeping my distances and shaking hands only but that works when you're a newbie. When people start liking you they want to kiss, and not agreeing is considered offensive. *sigh*
So with you on that. One kiss, two kiss, no kiss. I have no idea. I might just go in for a full blown snog next time someone goes for the social kiss - that will stop them in their tracks!
Haha don't go to the Netherlands then, we kiss everyone three times. At least, there's a clear rule and usually it's done affectionately, instead of empty air-kissing. ;)
It is a total minefield isn't it and I hate that bit where you aren't sure how posh the person kissing you considers themselves to be and you are left hovering in the middle as they never seem to give a body language clue whether the one side was enough or if they think they are really posh and are coming back for more. Hideous. And as for that annoying friend who always always smears her nasty peach frosty lipstick all over your face and then RUBS IT OFF taking all your make up with it, kill me now - I did actually tell one friend if she didn't again I would insist we only shook hands. She loved me!
The proper technique eludes me too! I suppose I'm just not into getting that close up with strangers!
x The Pretty Secrets
I just think it's so fake.
However, I do like to give people I'm fond of a hug when I see them. Brace yourself!
Ha, I always do the cheek to cheek air kiss thing... I'm classy like that 0_o
i'm exactly the same, personal space should not be invaded!
I dont do touching strangers. Shaking hands I guess is ok in certain situations (business situations) but if you go to a wedding say and people want to shake your hand or kiss etc, WHY?? Why cant they just say hello like normal people.
And hugging goodbye to strangers. Or anyone who isnt your partner or family. Just weird. "Oh I had a lovely time meeting you, goodbye *goes in for hug*" GO AWAY.
Weddings and other social gatherings make me want to die. Everyone feels the need to touch you when you first meet. A wave will do. Infact just a hello will do.
great post! in australia, from my experience, i tend to relate social kissing with social class - growing up in a working class migrant family it would be weird if i air-kiss or even exchanged a cheek-to-cheek with my childhood friends. however, in career and 'newer' social circle it's almost expected and a way of fitting in. never really thought about it until now ... but i think it has a lot to do with social class. having said that, having a thai background where any form of PDA is unsightly ... i still find it a little odd. again, great read.
Lol, I'm totally with you here...hugs and handshakes cool - social awkward kisses ney...a lot of the time it's just all for show as in "oh dahhling, dahling..." so pretentious! Totally agree with you on the whole lippy point :-)
Amy xxx
I hate social kissing, I hate it when people touch/hug me unnecessarily so social kissing is so awkward for me! x
The worst is when they come in for the kiss too fast, you panic and turn your face and they GET YOU ON THE LIPS
And I always panic
I hate it so much - air kissing is really stupid too
I'll strike you a deal, don't kiss me and I won't kiss you... lol
And I HATE being touched.
Ms Red
xx
Oh I feel your pain.
It must be a European thing. We Canadians confine our kissing to our nearest and dearest.
I will admit though, the b.s. air-kissing the Beautiful People do is funny as hell.
I know..it's all so awkward! I tell some people I don't like it so they half-remember for the next time - dive in for the kiss, remember I don't want to by which time I've committed so I'm left unwillingly pecking at someone leaping out of the way..arghhh!!
Urgh, even in kissing countries it's awkward. I went from a place where they do 2 kisses to a place where they do 1, but I got muddled up and did 2 kisses, and I could see the look of surprise on the other's friend, and I cringed when I realised my mistake. I actually like kissing, because in kissing countries the rules are pretty set, and I LIKE knowing the rules. It's when the rules aren't set that it gets complicated, particularly here in the UK. Also, most people, thankfully! do cheek-to-cheek kisses. I find it's men (in kissing countries) who do the sloppy kisses, and only some. I hate, hate, hate wet kisses!
Gordita
This is so funny and so true. Did I kiss you last time we met? Now I'm worrying...
The worst for me though is my father in law. He's not a social kisser either, but as everybody else in the family is kissing to say hello/goodbye, he feels he has to kiss too. It's always that awkward moment where I don't know which way to turn my head. Makes me shudder thinking about the awkwardness...
A total minefield I agree. If everyone did it then that would be fine but because you never know where people stand on the issue, I always just stand there looking a little bit stand-offish hoping people will just say hi and not attempt anything else! With good friends I havent seen for ages though a hug is always nice. But someone I've just met? No thanks.
I'm amazed you even have kids given your stance! ;-)
British people usually go for one kiss and us foreigners go for two. But never a wet kiss, ever, it is more like airkissing but with cheeks touching :-) In Sweden we hug, but only if we know the person ;-) Kissing is deemed pretentious in Sweden...
*memories of awkward social kiss flood back* God its so difficult!
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