Europe with a Western Focus

In the Fall of 2015, I studied abroad in Valencia, Spain.  There, I was able to immerse myself in the culture of Spain and improve my Spanish language skills.  While I was there, I was able to learn and experience firsthand the greetings of Spain.  I also learned different European greetings from my fellow international students.

I would, of course, like to begin with Spanish greetings.  In Spain, when two girls meet, they kiss both cheeks.  However, these kisses aren't real kisses.  You touch cheek to cheek starting from the left  and going to the right.  When a guy and a girl meet, they also do the double kiss.  Two men give a customary handshake or the "bro hug."  It is also common to hug and hold hands.  The Spanish definition of personal space is much dfferent than that of American culture.  The Spaniards find it normal to have physical contact with members of either gender.  Spaniards use verbal communication as well.

The French have similar greeting customs as well.  However, in France, men give cheek kisses as well.  The Italians also utilize the same methods of greeting as the Spanish and French, but they have one difference.  Instead of kissing cheeks from left to right, they go from right to left.  In France, Spain and Italy, it is customary to cheek kiss again before you leave.

In Germany, when greeting a stranger, one says hello and shakes hands.  Germans usually don't hug, even if it a familiar relationship.  In German standards, even Americans touch too much.  In Switzerland and the Netherlands, they kiss three cheeks. They go from left to right to left.

The British also utilize the handshake in formal and non-formal settings.  When you know someone, it is common to kiss one cheek, including members of the opposite gender.  In the United Kingdom, they also rely heavily on verbal greetings.

Personal Experience:

For me, it was very awkward the first month or so when I would greet someone.  I wasn't used to people being in my personal space and I never really figured on when someone wanted to kiss cheeks with me or hug me.  After awhile,  I became used to it.  When I came back to America, I found it strange how little Americans actually touch when greeting.

Going along with that, it was strange for me to see men and women constantly touch.  On many occasions, I mistook two friends as boyfriend and girlfriend.

Video:

Here is an American viewpoint on "social kissing."