The Art of Kissing….
Current mood: amused
Category: Travel and Places
Now that the subject has captured your curiousity…let me expand a little bit more on Saudi culture and specifically the tradition of women when they meet. It is customary for women in Saudi Arabia to not only shake hands when they meet but to also kiss French style on or near the cheeks. However it can sometimes be confusing as there is little to no consistency on exactly how one will kiss. Sometimes on greeting it is simply a kiss on each cheek; other times it will be alternating kisses on each cheek stopping after the third -or fourth- kiss. I’ve also been at a gathering where the tradition was to “air kiss” three times to the left cheek. I have asked Saudi women how do they know or decide which way one will be greeted with the kiss but they do not have a pat answer. I’ve been told that even among Saudi women they never know just how one will be kissed when meeting and they had no answers as to why there is not consistency either. So if you are a woman and reading this tidbit of information, just be prepared and follow the lead of others.Naturally if you are a man, this would not apply since in Saudi culture, men and women would not publically exchange kisses of any kind.9:12 AM - 0 Comments – 0 Kudos – Add Comment – Edit - Remove
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | culture, customs, Saudi Arabia
I have gotten such a kick out of all this kissing that goes on here when women greet each other. The number of kisses seems to vary with each individual, and many times when I think we’re done, I get more kisses! I have gotten to where I entertain my family members with little enjoyable kissing sounds when we greet one another. I’ll even move my body and my arms around like we’re smooching, and they love it. I’m sort of like the comic relief in their lives! Relax … I would not behave this way with ladies I do not know!
the other day I was having this discussion with Saudi women and even they acknowledge there is not a “set standard” among how the kiss should take place. The most embarrasssing is not knowing which way to turn or which cheek will be kissed next and inadvertantly kissing on the mouth! Oh yes…it happens!
Funny, it’s the same in the Netherlands: kissing is popular here and one never knows what to expect! I’m not at all keen on it, unless I really know and like the other party; then I like it! But it’s always alternating cheeks, Current fashion is 3 to 4 times!
But Susie has made it abundently clear that she has the most adorable family!
How very interesting to hear about this from people in the know: Susie and Delhi.
My husband’s friend and wife appeared on the street one day by surprise. They were getting out of a car and we just happend to be in the same area. The men kissed hello about 6 times….and I got a handshake! I felt a bit jealous. I mean, I had just gotten a quick kiss on the cheek when I returned from a long trip to the states from my husband..and here was this man getting all kinds of kisses and hugs from him! : ) I understand now, but I was furious then. Hey, Aafke, how did you get your picture added to your post?
You mean the avatar? It’s via my blog. If you don’t have one you can have one via for example, this site:
http://en.gravatar.com
You’ll need to submit the same mail-adress you use here for commenting; otherwise it won’t show up!
[...] greeting Saudis will inevitably always kiss as that is part of the culture. I wrote an earlier post about women greeting women and how they kiss. So to be fair I realized I needed to cover the same [...]