A common sign of affection throughout all societies is kissing. Whether the kiss is meant romantically, as a sign of respect, or as a greeting, kissing is a tradition that is familiar to all cultures. Similar to other traditions, kissing traditions have been passed down from generation to generation.
A greeting is much more than a simple kiss, a hand shake or a hug. The way in which you greet someone reflects upon your social etiquette, your character and is often the basis behind a first impression. Facial expression, gestures, body language and eye contact are all signals of what type of greeting is expected. Gestures are the most obvious signal, for instance greeting someone with open arms is generally a sign that we want to hug; however, if we were to greet someone with arms crossed it would be viewed as a sign of hostility. Facial expression, body language and eye contact give away the greeter's emotions and interest level. A frown, slouching and lowered eye contact suggests disinterest, while smiling and an exuberant attitude is a sign of welcome.
Throughout all cultures people greet one another as a sign of recognition, affection, friendship and reverence. While hand shakes, hugs, bows, nods and nose rubbing are all acceptable greetings, the most common greeting is a kiss, or kisses, on the cheek. Cheek kissing is “a ritual or social gesture to indicate friendship, perform a greeting, to confer congratulations, to comfort someone, or to show respect.” Cheek kissing is most common in Europe and Latin America and has become a standard greeting in Southern Europe. While cheek kissing is a common greeting in many cultures, each country has a unique way in which they do so.
In Russia and Egypt it is customary to “kiss three times, on alternate cheeks.” Italians usually kiss twice in a greeting and in Mexico only one kiss is necessary. In the Galapagos women kiss on the right cheek only and in Oman it is not unusual for men to kiss one another on the nose after a handshake. French culture accepts a number of ways to greet depending on the region. Two kisses are most common throughout all of France but in Provence three kisses are given and in Nantes four are exchanged.
Teenagers explore the world of dating with friends, classmates and crushes through scandalous kissing games. Some games are as innocent as Truth or Dare? or as intimate as Seven minutes in heaven. Classics like Spin the bottle, Post Office and Wink (game) have long since been a group activity for developing teenagers. These games act as icebreakers at co-ed parties and are a gateway into the adult world of serious dating. Teenagers are exposed to kissing by the media at an early age and kissing games are a way of experimenting.
Teen oriented movies such as Clueless advocate a kissing game known as Suck and Blow. To play this game a group of people will form a circle and pass a playing card by blowing and sucking air through their mouths. The main point of this game is to pass the card around the circle, but the underlying reason for playing is the chance that the card might slip and two people will sneak a kiss.
A greeting is much more than a simple kiss, a hand shake or a hug. The way in which you greet someone reflects upon your social etiquette, your character and is often the basis behind a first impression. Facial expression, gestures, body language and eye contact are all signals of what type of greeting is expected. Gestures are the most obvious signal, for instance greeting someone with open arms is generally a sign that we want to hug; however, if we were to greet someone with arms crossed it would be viewed as a sign of hostility. Facial expression, body language and eye contact give away the greeter's emotions and interest level. A frown, slouching and lowered eye contact suggests disinterest, while smiling and an exuberant attitude is a sign of welcome.
Throughout all cultures people greet one another as a sign of recognition, affection, friendship and reverence. While hand shakes, hugs, bows, nods and nose rubbing are all acceptable greetings, the most common greeting is a kiss, or kisses, on the cheek. Cheek kissing is “a ritual or social gesture to indicate friendship, perform a greeting, to confer congratulations, to comfort someone, or to show respect.” Cheek kissing is most common in Europe and Latin America and has become a standard greeting in Southern Europe. While cheek kissing is a common greeting in many cultures, each country has a unique way in which they do so.
In Russia and Egypt it is customary to “kiss three times, on alternate cheeks.” Italians usually kiss twice in a greeting and in Mexico only one kiss is necessary. In the Galapagos women kiss on the right cheek only and in Oman it is not unusual for men to kiss one another on the nose after a handshake. French culture accepts a number of ways to greet depending on the region. Two kisses are most common throughout all of France but in Provence three kisses are given and in Nantes four are exchanged.
Teenagers explore the world of dating with friends, classmates and crushes through scandalous kissing games. Some games are as innocent as Truth or Dare? or as intimate as Seven minutes in heaven. Classics like Spin the bottle, Post Office and Wink (game) have long since been a group activity for developing teenagers. These games act as icebreakers at co-ed parties and are a gateway into the adult world of serious dating. Teenagers are exposed to kissing by the media at an early age and kissing games are a way of experimenting.
Teen oriented movies such as Clueless advocate a kissing game known as Suck and Blow. To play this game a group of people will form a circle and pass a playing card by blowing and sucking air through their mouths. The main point of this game is to pass the card around the circle, but the underlying reason for playing is the chance that the card might slip and two people will sneak a kiss.
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