Cheek kissing Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Cheek kissing is a ritual or social gesture to indicate friendship, perform a greeting, to confer congratulations, to comfort someone, or to show respect. It doesn't necessarily indicate sexual or romantic interest. Cheek kissing is more common in Europe than North America (except for Quebec), especially the southern parts of Europe. Cheek kissing is appropriate between a man and a woman, a parent and a child, two women and two men. The latter is socially accepted in Russia and the Middle East but is brings up associations with homosexuality in Western Europe and the US.In a cheek kiss, both persons lean forward and either lightly touch cheek with cheek or lip with cheek. Generally the gesture is repeated with the other cheek, or more, alternating cheeks. Depending on country and situation the number of kisses is usually one, two or three. Hand-shaking or hugging may also take place.
Cheek-kissing is used in many cultures with slightly varying meaning and gesture. For example, cheek-kissing may or may not be associated with a hug. Do not be surprised if somebody kisses your cheek in the countries and cultures mentioned below, but do not try to imitate unless you are intimate with the culture (and the people around you). The appropriate social context for use can vary greatly from one country to the other, though the gesture might look familiar.
Almost all cheek kissing here is a single kiss to one cheek. Double cheek kissing is relatively rare and sometimes changes the meaning of the kiss entirely.
Cheek kissing is most commonly done between a man and woman who know each other well and are either related or are fairly good friends. In this case, a short hug is very commonly an accompanying move, though the hug only allows the upper bodies to touch.
Also common is cheek kissing between two women who know each other or are related. Likewise, hugs are common but not required.
A variant of this is an air-cheek-kiss. This is only done by two women or possibly as well by gay men. The kiss is done at a distance in a feigning move, with the women standing 1 meter from each other and pretending to kiss, much as 'blowing a kiss' pretends to kiss at a distance. Unlike all other types of kisses, it is often a double cheek kiss. This is a stylized mannerism and was not ever very popular in the general population, and may or may not now be out of style.
Cheek kissing of children by adults of both sexes is common as well. Typically it is also very short (even perfunctory) unless the adult and child are related.
Cheek kissing between grown men is very, very rare. A man attempting to cheek kiss another man would probably be thought to be homosexual unless the move is between close friends at a party and purely for comedic value; even then the move would be discussed for its possible homosexual implications.
Cheek kissing between an adult male child and either his mother and father is quite common and normal, though it is less common than between mother-daughter and brother-sister.
United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom
France, Italy, Spain
Also among most other Mediterranean countries of romanic culture.
Cheek-kissing and hugging common among friends of both sexes, mixed sex, and between family members.Turkey
Cheek-kissing and light hugging is common among men.Arab World
Cheek kissing is relatively common, between friends, relatives, and lovers. The elderly are also kissed by younger people to show respect.South America
Common but don't know the details, please extend.Quebec
People of opposite sex usually kiss once on each cheek; sometimes a pair of women will do this also. This customarily occurs between friends or family members who have not seen each other recently.