Social Kissing

Many people are unsure about the rules of French social kissing or faire la bise. Social kissing was originally a form of greeting within your immediate family or close friends but became more widespread after the social revolution of May 1968. Every region of France has it's own customary number of kisses and starting side, which can even confuse the French.

• It is never obligatory in France to kiss a person you have not met before. It is still mainly reserved for relaxed occasions with family and friends of the same age, although growing more common between work colleagues who know each other well.
• It is acceptable, even commonplace, for straight men  to kiss good friends or relatives.
• In most regions, you exchange two kisses, starting on the right cheek.
• It merely requires the lightest brushing of cheek to cheek, but at the moment of brushing  you are expected to make a 'mwah' sound.

The French serrer la main or squeeze the hand rather than the Anglo-Saxon handshake so gently squeeze the proffered hand. French etiquette dictates that the older, more senior person or a woman, proffers thair hand first.

From They Eat Horses Don't They: the truth about the French by Piu Marie Eatwell. Published by Head of Zeus Ltd, 2013.