Meaning of a kiss on the cheek for North Americans

[frenchgirl]

Where I come from we kiss everybody... But I know that things are different in North America.

 

What's the meaning of a woman kissing a man on the cheek for North Americans (and vice versa)?

[zengirl]

When Europeans do it, I don't take it as anything. I understand how it is in certain countries. Same with South Americans from countries where it's common. Or certain physicality from Koreans, though they don't do this.

 

But, personally, it's a fairly intimate gesture to me, though that doesn't mean it needs to be romantic. I know some people who kiss relatives or friends on the cheek. It makes me a bit uncomfortable, as I'm not really affectionate in this way with my family or friends. My family is plenty warm, but we aren't big "huggers" except in times of emotional turmoil/long absences, etc. I consider it like a hug---an intimate, very familiar gesture that could be romantic, usually expressing the more chaste side of a romance when it is romantic (kind of like how it's romantic and sweet for a SO to kiss you on the forehead or cheek but would be weird in early dating), but doesn't need to be.

[Enchanted Girl]

If you do it to a stranger, they'll probably get freaked out.

 

If you do it to a friend that's a girl, she'll probably take it okay, but might feel like it's a little strange.

 

If you do it to a guy, you'll probably make him think that you might be attracted to him.

 

It's not something we practice here really.

 

All these people have a good chance of taking it better though if they understand you're from france and that this is just part of your culture.

[SadandConfusedWA]

I kiss all my good friends on the cheek, males or females (I am from Eastern Europe but now live in Australia).

[Eeyore79]

When Europeans do it, I don't take it as anything.

"Europeans" does not include the British, who would be completely freaked out if you invaded their personal space and placed your lips upon their skin, no matter what nationality you are.

[zengirl]

"Europeans" does not include the British, who would be completely freaked out if you invaded their personal space and placed your lips upon their skin, no matter what nationality you are.

 

Agreed. Sorry. I meant continental Europeans. I've never had a British person try to hug me either. They seem basically like me -- not physically effusive, except in romance.

[WintersNightTraveler]

Where I come from we kiss everybody... But I know that things are different in North America.

 

What's the meaning of a woman kissing a man on the cheek for North Americans (and vice versa)?

 

This is actually pretty common in my experience, at least around the parts of NA I have lived the longest (NY, Cali). It's just a friendly gretting, it gets wrapped into a brief hug. It's not as common as in continental Europe or South America, but it's not unusual at all.

[SadandConfusedWA]

In Australia it's pretty common too among Australians...

[a_woman]

"Europeans" does not include the British, who would be completely freaked out if you invaded their personal space and placed your lips upon their skin, no matter what nationality you are.

 

not true at all

[WintersNightTraveler]

not true at all

 

At least as a visitor in London several times, I was surprised at how reserved everyone was there in terms of casual affection. Surprised since I am used to New York, which has such a cold, unfriendly reputation.

[a_woman]

At least as a visitor in London several times, I was surprised at how reserved everyone was there in terms of casual affection. Surprised since I am used to New York, which has such a cold, unfriendly reputation.

 

I found people in Manhattan friendly.

 

The Brits are not outgoing like your stereotypical Italian would be but they are affectionate and somewhere like London people are used to kissing eachother on the cheek, even someone they have just met. My friends do it all the time.

[WintersNightTraveler]

I found people in Manhattan friendly.

 

The Brits are not outgoing like your stereotypical Italian would be but they are affectionate and somewhere like London people are used to kissing eachother on the cheek, even someone they have just met. My friends do it all the time.

 

I may have been extrapolating both genders based on my experiences with men. I go there for business, and was interacting largely with men during the day since that's the makeup of my industry. There was just something very held back about things, even the handshakes and such. Obviously this is very vague and not at all conclusive, but that was my feeling.

 

At night at the bar people seemed to loosen up a bit but not enough to shake the impression I got during the days, I suppose.

 

I also found the people who lived in London, but were not from London, were much friendlier.

 

And it's all relative of course, I am just comparing to other foreign (to me) cities I have been where things seemed much more open in terms of hugs and kisses (Buenos Aires, Amsterdam, etc).

[a_woman]

I may have been extrapolating both genders based on my experiences with men. I go there for business, and was interacting largely with men during the day since that's the makeup of my industry. There was just something very held back about things, even the handshakes and such. Obviously this is very vague and not at all conclusive, but that was my feeling.

 

At night at the bar people seemed to loosen up a bit but not enough to shake the impression I got during the days, I suppose.

 

I also found the people who lived in London, but were not from London, were much friendlier.

 

And it's all relative of course, I am just comparing to other foreign (to me) cities I have been where things seemed much more open in terms of hugs and kisses (Buenos Aires, Amsterdam, etc).

 

the Brits are very measured and professional when it comes to formal occasions (such as business meetings), they don't show their true self though. I like that they are professional like that. My male friends are the same too, conservative in the office but more relaxed in private. It's a very British thing.

 

Same thing in the bar (unless it's a Friday night when hell breaks loose quite often ), many would have learnt how to handle their drink so they don't get carried away just because they had a pint or two.

 

Also true about non-Londoners. That's the reason all the English men I have dated so far are originally from the countryside, not even just the home counties (ie suburbs) but proper country side.