Do the French kiss everyone? In fact, this is a question that even the French themselves become confused about sometimes. The reason for this is that the art of using a kiss as a form of greeting in France can vary depending upon which area of France you are in and the relationship that you have with the person you are greeting. In fact, in many places, the handshake is used as a form of greeting instead of the kiss.

Perhaps what should be cleared up in the first place is the way in which those of us who are not French interpret the term “kiss”. In France, the kiss used in greeting, which is more of an “air” kiss is not seen as the intimate act that other countries consider it to be, except in a case where only one kiss is exchanged as this is a custom reserved for lovers. However, the French generally see their kisses, when they use them, as their way of saying hello or goodbye. The kiss greeting can occur in any work or social situation.

The other aspect of the French greeting people with a kiss is the number of kisses delivered. In Paris and a number of other areas of France, two kisses are customary. However, in other regions to the west and east of the country three are considered the norm. There is also a four-kiss greeting but this is usually reserved for family and relations, so this should be avoided in any other situation, such as the greeting of friends.

However, not all French people use the kiss as a form of greeting at all. Many use a handshake, especially in a situation where they are meeting someone who they do not know for the first time. This diversity of greeting methods can cause concern when a foreigner meets a French person. However, do not worry about getting it wrong. Even French people do from time to time.

The real art is to let the French national lead and follow them. For example, if they lean towards you it is likely they are expecting the kiss greeting. Alternatively, if you see their shoulders move it will probably indicate that they expect to receive a handshake greeting. To be safe, if it is a kiss, you should always expect to receive or deliver at least two, one to each cheek.

Thus, in returning to the question that began this article, the answer is that the French do not really kiss everyone. It really depends upon where you are in the country and the prevailing tradition. Therefore, for a person who is foreign to their shores, perhaps the best way to avoid being embarrassed by trying to greet with a kiss when it is not appropriate, is to watch the body language of the person you are greeting. This should tell you whether a kiss or a handshake is likely to follow.