WARM WELCOME: Why Do The French Love Greeting Each Other By Planting Kisses On The Cheeks?

Human beings all over the world are sociable and in need of companionship to survive. This is the underlying principle for tribes, communities and societies.

However, the methods of relating to one another differ from community to community around the world. In the aspect of greeting a fellow individual, we’ve seen people cultures where handshakes, hugging, waving and even bowing is allowed.

For the French, however, they are more accustomed to sharing a kiss whenever they want to greet each other. France has this unique art of cheek-kissing. These kinds of kisses are known as ‘bises’ and they are so much loved by the French.

Bises are a very common greeting between friends, family, colleagues and even sometimes strangers. You’re expected to lean forward and touch cheeks, pretending to kiss the air near the other person’s ear while making sure to let loose a light kissing sound with your lips – though not your voice.

While bises (cheek kisses) are common to France, it is important to note that these same kisses differ from community to community in the European country.

In Paris, for example, you’ll give two kisses placing the right cheek first, and then the left, whereas, in the South of France, you’ll see people use the opposite cheeks.

The number of cheek kisses also changes, with some cities like Montpellier preferring an elaborated greeting of three kisses, and some places even stretching to an improbable four.

What also changes is between whom it is socially acceptable for these kisses to be exchanged. It’s a very common greeting in the southern parts of France, even between males, whether relatives or just friends.

However, in the North, it’s less common – less cool – for two males who aren’t family members to perform the famous ′bise′.

The French cheek-kiss came under fierce scrutiny during the H1N1 epidemic of 2009 for hygiene reasons. Some French people still protest against this ancient tradition to this day, claiming that such intimacy – sometimes between complete strangers – increases the risk of spreading diseases like mononucleosis, herpes, rubella, and even meningitis.

The present coronavirus pandemic has also greatly affected the frequency and even presence of the French bise as social distancing measures are required.

Nonetheless, the tradition is still going strong. While some people say that younger generations are challenging its status, sometimes opting for gangsta-like handshakes, hugs, or simply reducing the number of bises, if you go to a French soiree you’ll still be expected to go round everyone introducing yourself with a cheek-kiss.

Even if there are 30 guests, you’ll be perceived as rude if you skip this social tradition.