Kissy kissy 1, 2,3.

Family and close friends get hugs, or a meeting of cheeks which is not exactly a kiss. I'm sure people are quite grateful not to have me drooling all over them. During our postings to various NATO headquarters we met all sorts of European nationals to whom a kiss on each cheek was the norm and we did likewise. DH had one lovely German colleague who always used to kiss my hand, which, for some reason, made me go quite weak at the knees! And I'm not a very weak at the knees sort of gal!

DD and DS get big hugs and a kiss, DDIL is big hug and both cheeks (Italian), her parents both cheeks. My parents big hug and a kiss.
No one else gets it spontaneously so sometimes there's a clashing of specs, noses etc?

I'm both a hugger and a kisser, one cheek only.

My mum was very tactile and all my family are too. I guess it just comes naturally. My friends are comfortable with hugging and kissing too. In fact I go so far as to say I like it.

I can't stand the falseness of the 'air kiss'. or those who ' proffer' their cheek , I don't join in with that as they obviously don't like it.

I think you can usually tell when, where and to whom you offer a warm welcome to be honest, it's instinctual somehow.

I only want to kiss DH, my children, their partners and my grandchildren. I remember a character in Emmerdale saying, " Who kisses friends. This is Yorkshire!". We were kissed and cuddled as children (in Yorkshire) but ît didn't extend beyond immediate family. There's a lot of social kissing done but I do my best to keep away from it as a lot of it comes across as insincere. I think my friends know I care about them without lots of kissing going on. I did hug a friend this week who has just found she has to have a mastectomy.

Oh yes a gallant kiss on the hand is something special - I like that.

I used to dread New Year at work, when all the people that I am aware didn't like me, used to fly at me for kisses !!

Family and very close friends get hugs and kisses. Acquaintances don't. I must make this fairly obvious through my body language, when a friend and I met someone we both know slightly he tried a hug a couple of times, but he has now taken to hugging her and nodding respectfully at me!!!

Being northern and working class, we never kissed even close family members. I didn't need to be kissed to know that they loved me.
Nowadays everyone seems to kiss. My son in law, being previously married to a Frenchwoman, kisses three times. And, I now find myself kissing all and sundry! Times change.

I hate it! I was brought up in a loving home but there were no hugs or kisses. I now find it awkward and embarrassing if someone leans in for a kiss. I don't know what to do, and what side of my face to present. I'm like a female version of Roy Cropper!

I'm a hugger and kisser, but done lightly and quickly.It's the norm now, however we were brought up, and all the better for it I think.

Inishowen, who is Roy Cropper?

I have had a house in France for 24 years and over that time I have seen an increase in British people with houses there. Our French neighbours are kissers.. 3 kisses and sometimes 4. Our French friends are kissers too. I am happy with that. However, what is really getting my goat is when English people meeting English people do the kissy thing. As for the air kissing and offering a cheek !!! I am make a definite point of one kiss and stand back quick. I am far more of a hugger so if I can I get in there for a hug first then away. That is only if it is someone I want to hug!

The last time I did some kissing a few years back it was more French type or tongued style it was nice.
Mick

I'm trying to to reintroduce shaking hands. I never kiss my friends. They know I like them.

Roy Cropper is a character from Coronation Street roses he is socially awkward and probably (if he were real) suffers from some level of autism.

Blimey 12Michael do tell more.

My sister is a great handshaker Stansgran when she meets family and friends she blankly refuses a kiss or hug of any kind and extends a hand. Having said that, she is very odd we all still try to cuddle her just to wind her up.

I'm with the haters and Joan Collins (when did all that start) In particular I hate it in working/ business situations. In fact I think it's patronising for men to kiss women in the work place.
I also hate people kissing my Mum who is very elderly and frail - I'm always frightened she'll pick up a cold or bug. Please stop.

I don't like it. Not on meeting and greeting or on farewell. Is not British! I feel so uncomfortable in this situation.

What about giving ' Sign of Peace ' in church? Some kiss, some shake hands and some just ignore their fellow parishioners, looking straight ahead.

Years ago I knew a man who would make a show of going to kiss a woman's hand and then kiss his own hand instead. It did make people laugh.

My mother, 89 years old visits her neighbour nearby on Monday affternoons. When she leaves her friend she gives her a big hug and little kiss on the cheek. Mum asked her a while ago,if she minded. Her friend said, she loved it, because no one ever touches her. She has two sons. Their generation in mums world generally never did this. Our family ,because of my "doings" always have a little hug and cheek kiss.

I do hate the two cheek miss. I find it uncomfortable and affected.

Kiss not miss.........if only

No-one is kissing me today - cant stop sneezing and dribbling!!!

My DD1 now proffers her cheek for me to kiss. Next time I think I am going to proffer mine and see what happens. We will probably be both standing there with cheeks aimed at each other, looking really stupid.

Teetime Big slobbery wet one coming your way. MWAH!