Comments on: Which way do you kiss in Italy?

By: Parisgirl

Parisgirl — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:59:53 +0000

In France, the number of times you kiss on each cheek depends a lot on whether you’re in Paris or in the ‘provinces’. Parisians normally kiss once on each cheek. Anything else makes you look horribly provincial. But no one else in the rest of France pays much attention to the Parisians. We kiss four times, twice on each cheek in Normandy. Sometimes with very close friends, you might kiss just once and give a third kiss for extra intimacy. When you notice that kisses kind of slip their way on to your lips, maybe someone wants to be more than just friends!
(Nowhere in France do people just kiss on one cheek) And Jessica, I think you’re right about starting with the kiss on the right side – that seems to hold true for France also.

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:28:56 +0000

So I should start by kissing on the right, should I?

Well, I never knew that, or even thought a rule existed!

You live and you learn – even after many years in Italy.

Lovely post!

Alex

By: bleeding espresso

bleeding espresso — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:38:29 +0000

Excellent post! And Sara’s comment is so true as well…that cheek rub greeting ends up being pretty darn weird

By: Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy

Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:59:05 +0000

Also, it’s really important to make the kissing noise…it’s really strange to greet someone and both people don’t make the kissing noise!