Guide to European Kissing Etiquette

As globalization becomes part of everyday life, the need to understand local cul
ture and customs becomes vital.
One local custom dear to the hearts of Blistex users everywhere is kissing! But
, this custom is not always straightforward. A myriad of kissing questions aris
e when one finds oneself away from home.
Do you kiss, when do you kiss, and how?
These questions seem especially relevant in Europe, where barriers between count
ries are increasingly relaxed and frequent trips across the border are a part of
everyday life.
Below is Blistex' guide to European kissing customs, to help keep your lips on t
he right path.

FRANCE
For the French, kissing is a way of life and multiple kisses are normal. Paris
adopted a four kiss greeting years ago and has stuck to it. The sequence is lef
t cheek first--always. In Brittany they follow a three kiss routine and in most
other parts of France they restrict themselves to a restrained two kiss greetin
g. The exception is the Cte d'Azur where a five or six kissing pattern is not un
usual.
NETHERLANDS
In the Netherlands, you always begin and end your kissing on the same cheek. Th
ree kisses are expected, but if you are greeting an elderly or close member of t
he family, add a few more to show your affection. Right cheek first is the rule
.
ITALY
Kissing is restricted to very close friends or family in Italy. The number of k
isses is optional and as there are no rules regarding which cheek to kiss first,
there are frequent and sometimes painful clashes. Hugs and handshakes are good
alternatives for friends.
BELGIUM
If you are about the same age as the person you are greeting, one kiss is the ru
le in Belgium. For someone at least ten years older than you are, then three ki
sses is seen as a mark of respect. This could be hazardous -- especially if you
are not good at judging ages!
SPAIN, AUSTRIA and SCANDINAVIA
Spain, Austria and Scandinavia are each content with the two kisses ritual. In
Spain the rule is strictly right cheek first.

GERMANY
Germany tends to restrict kissing to family and very close friends. Handshakes
predominate and all meetings begin and end with this formality.
UK
In the UK kissing is only just being extended outside of family and friends. So
mewhat shy of physical contact, the British have tended to opt for a handshake o
r nod as the safest form of greeting. In today's less formal environment, "Hi!"
or "How are you?" is a way of avoiding physical contact. But it must be rememb
ered that when the British ask how you are they don't expect you to tell them.