Happy & Healthy

1, 2, 3 Or none at all?

How to greet someone à la 2016

This situation is one that’s going to sound all too familiar. You’re at an event with people you know well, and some you don’t (and not to forget those you don’t even recognize anymore, oops). Oh, and there are foreigners too. Let me tell you, greeting someone has never been more problematic.

Look. A year or so ago in the Netherlands you would only greet the people you knew with a kiss. Three to be exact. Don’t ask me why, but that’s just how it was done. Then suddenly we were introduced to the one kiss for your close friends. You would see each other so often that it turned into just one. Plus, it’s also a way of showing which people have a higher ranking on your friendship ladder.

There was also the option of one kiss on the lips that was used often in the TV world. (Talk about intimate.) I was able to keep up for as far as I could, although I still find it arduous to give that vague acquaintance three kisses and then the better friend is greeted with just one. Subconsciously I’m partaking in something that’s somewhat unkind towards the latter of the two that you hardly know.

“Although in some cities they’ll stop after two and I’ll be awkwardly going in for a third”

However, nowadays it’s considered normal to give someone a kiss when it’s barely the second time you’ve met them. Perhaps even the first. It happens all over the world, although in some cities they’ll stop after two and I’ll be awkwardly going in for a third.

In Paris they normally stick to two, but don’t be startled when it turns into four and in Sweden people don’t greet with kisses, but with hugs. Just like the Americans do, but then again they also hug people they’re meeting for the very first time too.

I think I’ve lost sight of the plot so I might as well start going back to the good old handshake.