Do you think it's possible...

[OllieMartin]

I just hug.

[Bren In Pots]

I just say Hello, that's unless its a close female friend then I hug.

[Brengirl]

I just hug.

Not even a mwahh or a mwahh mwahh

[HotStuff]

Don't know if it's still the case, but the best part of 30 years ago when I used to work in Brussels it was the norm if you went to a meeting you shook hands with each person in the meeting. I found it quite comical when we had a dozen or more people in one of the conference rooms.

I do think a good firm handshake is important, but I'd would never offer my hand to a lady unless she made the first move.

[piskieinboots]

...., but I'd would never offer my hand to a lady unless she made the first move.

and you're called HotStuff

[scarey55]

We always mwah mwah at the start of my French lesson and there are normally about 8 people there and the teacher, it can take ages before the lesson starts.

[HotStuff]

and you're called HotStuff

HotStuff is what I like to eat and that's it I afraid.

I was taught that it is impolite for a gentleman to profer his hand when introduced to a lady, you should always wait and see what she does.

[Brengirl]

I am not steeped in U non U but must admit that if a man proffers to shake my hand I sometimes think 'aww do I have to'. But, surely that must be how men feel too.

[Snadger]

Shaking hands is just the done thing over here.
I shake hands with any Frenchie that I know, whenever I see them (but only the first time every day, bad form otherwise).

Prefer that though, to close friends (male) kissing me. Most uncomfortable.

In Europe and Eastern block countries is kissing on the cheek not the equivalent of the good old British handshake?

I can usually judge a man by his handshake methinks!

[binley100]

Urgh I'm afraid I'm just not a touchy type. Personal space and all that . If I feel someones getting in too close I just back off. (unless it's my immediate family)

[Alison]

We always mwah mwah at the start of my French lesson and there are normally about 8 people there and the teacher, it can take ages before the lesson starts.

No probs with shaking hands or giving a close friend / family a hug and a kiss but really really HATE the mwah thing, always strikes me as really fake and makes my skin crawl. Assuming I've understood correctly and you're referring to the random kissing of the air?

[HeyWayne]

No probs with shaking hands or giving a close friend / family a hug and a kiss but really really HATE the mwah thing, always strikes me as really fake and makes my skin crawl. Assuming I've understood correctly and you're referring to the random kissing of the air?

I'm kinda with you on that. On quite a few ocassions I've leant in for a polite kiss on the cheek of a lady and seen that they've gone for the double whammy as I've pulled away.

Dans France et le Continent where it's common practise, fine - but when we're in Blighty...

[Incy]

I'm kinda with you on that. On quite a few ocassions I've leant in for a polite kiss on the cheek of a lady and seen that they've gone for the double whammy as I've pulled away.

Dans France et le Continent where it's common practise, fine - but when we're in Blighty...

My problem is that I grew up in France so double or 4 depending on the region is normal for me. In the Netherlands it's 3 which frankly just confuses me.

[Jeanied]

The hand shaking or kissing as forms of greeting is deeply cultural area- as observed by lots of Grapes above. In some Muslim cultures it is offensive for a man to touch a woman he is not related to - as I found out when offering my hand in greeting to one of our community leaders. He explained very nicely to me, and shoved his hand in his pocket out of harm's way!
I think in these times of swine flu - or even ordinary flu - it may be wiser to desist and go in for a word of greeting and a nice smile instead!

[piskieinboots]

...so double or 4 depending on the region is normal ..

gawd blimey - the meeting would be never get started!