I was shocked, blown away, happy, proud to get notification yesterday that my 5 days of blogging had triggered 1000 views. Wowzer. Maybe I do have stories/thoughts/learnings/insights people want to read. It is motivating that’s for sure. A special shout out to those of you who shared my new (virtual) adventure on social media. Much appreciated.
Okay, back to the real story. Or observation. The beautiful social ritual of kissing people when you meet them in France. It is soooooooooo charming. Intimate and public all at the same time. And seemingly unaffected by the specter of Covid (though I think in the early days there was less social kissing happening).
I have been kissed by customers at the vineyard, all of the family (of course!) including the children (who seem to drop one kiss on a cheek and then leave- haven’t quite worked out if that is their obligation met or if they are always too much of a hurry to do both sides of the face). I have seen people greet each other on the street with a double kiss. I have been part of the social coming together where you go around the room, whether is is family or friends, and kiss each and every person on each cheek.
It can be confusing who to kiss and I haven’t worked it all out but for sure you don’t kiss store clerks, workers who come to your house (tho you may serve them wine or beer when their work is done for the day!), nor neighbours (or at least none of my neighbours seem to be kissing!). And you also don’t rush into a room and start kissing; their seems to be this pause where people greet each other, settle themselves (take off your coat, put down your bag) and then start the formal kissing of everyone there. If someone new arrives, they in turn make their rounds. Old and young, male and female, everyone kisses. 🙂
I have been “caught out” a few times where I have forgotten that we do the no body touch double kiss and leaned in for a hug with members of Francois’ family. It is now a joke where a couple of them will laugh and we say “Canadian style!” and have a big old hug, which incidentally they always close off with the double kiss. A beautiful blending of cultures for which I am always grateful and appreciative.
A bientot! xo
Ooo la la 💋. My brother-in-laws sister and her husband live in France. Always kiss on each cheek when I see them when they are in PEI visiting.
How wonderful Dawne; I bet you love it!
Love reading your posts
/blogs Michelle. 💋 💋 🤗
Thank you Sheila; happy to have you along and appreciate the compliment! Hope your day is off to a good start!
I’ve always wanted to do that 💋! I wonder if I could start a trend of french kissing here? It just seems so fancy and rich like 😂
I agree Wendy, so la tee dah exotic. I kind of miss it as a greeting when back in Canada. When everyone was here for the wedding last summer we all were greeting each other that way. When in Rome…….
A much warmer greeting than here!
It really does feel very lovely I think in part because it’s an acknowledgment of each person…. not the same as a general “Hello everyone!”. Your card nights would need an extra 10 or 15 minutes at each end if you started doing this! 🙂
Do they do it both on arrival and when leaving too Michelle? I think I would find it a bit much in a large gathering 🤣
Unless it is a quick meet up, like bumping into a friend at the grocery store, then yes, both coming and going!
I have always loved the way the French greet each another and I especially love the “Canadian “ style with the hug. Kisses are are great but who doesn’t love a hug!! 🤗.
So when they are combined, c’est parfait!
I guess you are now just a kissing fool 💋, I am more of a buggy kinda gal but I’m sure Bubby would like the culture there, kissin all those pretty French ladies. Have a good day my friend.
Remember he’d have to kiss all the men too! 🙂
I wonder historically how that custom began? Do residents in other European countries kiss as well? XO
Ah, your questions made me do some googling. Apparently the custom goes back to the time of the Romans and was put aside after the Black Plague until after WW1. And yes, many countries, including Italy which I know you have visited but would not have ever been in a situation where kissing was expected. 🙂
Yes, it did catch me off guard when you have no idea what if happening bit once you stop and think about it. It is a nice tradition. When I came home, I told friends, yes the French greeting kiss is real.
Enjoy you day!!
Oops! I guess I should have prepped you better! 🙂
“Canadian Style”! That’s hilarious. 🤣
I had a similar interaction with a South American acquaintance…. the kiss threw me off so I’m *sure* I added a mini-hug. #awkward
I’ve been in Quebec many times and same custom; but I still go in for the hug! More comfortable with that, and they don’t seem to mind😊
Well as long as they don’t mind then yes, take those hugs! 🙂
Aww the blog book! Loving the read Michelle 💕
You’ve always been so so so encouraging Carolyn. Such a generous spirit. And I listened….. just took me a while to put consideration into action but I got there! Maybe one day blog exerts will be short stories in a book. Who knows? Just letting it all play out….. xo
Enjoying the reads. Keep them coming please!
Daily for as long as I can cousin. You have such a painting talent; I am glad you are enjoying my writing!
💋💋
This makes me giggle when I think of our mutual friend Rachel. Wonder how she’d react to such a greeting…lol.
I would definitely have to prep her for this!! 🙂