Kissing friends as a form of greeting

Quite happy to smile and stand back.

Shaking hands is preferable to hugs and kisses, you can give your hands a good wash!

?

A dear friend of mine, with whom I’ve exchanged kisses/hugs for years, has started kissing me on the lips! Nope! Stop! Don’t like it!

Kali2

The title clearly says 'friends' - not strangers.

But the OP includes acquaintances which indicates people you don't know very well. We usually know what friends like or dislike, but the problem lies with acquaintances whose preferences we don't know.

Hugging and kissing is a sign of affection, which is what exists between friends.
Now, with Covid, we need to be more careful, but rejecting a hug from a close friend or family member, without explanation can be very hurtful.
If both participants have been vaccinated and boosted, the risks are reduced, and the hug can be beneficial to their mental health.
I remember one lady saying to the minister as she shook hands to leave after the service, "That's the first human contact I've had in the last week"
Note how animals, particularly cats make contact when they meet. We need physical contact, albeit now, as safely as possible.

Not something I care for either, even in the family. Several of us suffer with cold sores which are highly infectious so we have never kissed baby and children particularly.
I just wish people wouldn't get so narked when I refuse to kiss, even if it is on the cheeks.

The title clearly says 'friends' - not strangers.

What a silly reply- of course I don't!!! We are talking about friends here- as per title. And I know my friends well- and it very much depends on their nationality.

Most of my friends like kissing to greet and like a good hug- and that is fine by me. Yes, most of my British friends too. If I don't know, I will always make sure I find out and respect.

But it is clear that Anglo-Saxons are, in general, the only ones who are not kissers and huggers- and are considered 'cold and aloof' because of it. (not by me, I have lived in the UK all my adult life and know that is not the case, for most.)

Kali2

I grew up kissing and hugging - and we always thought it so strange our Anglo-Saxon friends couldn't handle it.

Much more careful now due to Covid, but I am definitely a kisser and hugger, and always will be.

What if the person doesn't want to be kissed or hugged closely, you just go ahead because it's what you want? You don't give them a choice, you just make a move on them regardless?

I suppose it’s an invasion of your personal space, if you prefer others to keep their distance. I am quite choosy about who I’ll hug, I hate people who move in for the kill without checking first!

There are a number of differences between us and some of our european cousins. The enthusiasm for nudity has for the most part, completely passed us by. Not sure about the French but certainly in Germany Austria and Scandinavia etc they are great fans,. One never knows quite where to look.

I grew up kissing and hugging - and we always thought it so strange our Anglo-Saxon friends couldn't handle it.

Much more careful now due to Covid, but I am definitely a kisser and hugger, and always will be.

Silver yes men kiss too, a big shock for our partners!

I am not a great kisser other than our children and gc and closest friends, but my dh always seemed to get drawn in for a kiss, sometimes someone who we barely knew, which left me feeling very awkward as I reluctantly had to accept similar with the husband. This often repeated as we parted company too .
Am quite happy to have a solid reason to just say hello as we used to do, but they have always kissed in Europe, in France up to 4 times, men too, which was a big surprise/shock for my dh many years ago now. I can still see his face.

Hugs are fine, you are not in each other's faces and you can keep them fast and loose for people less close and deep and clingy for those you love most.

I was always thought a bit odd as I would not hug or kiss and would firmly say "No, I don't do social kissing". It was often taken to be some sort of personality flaw on my part and being in amateur operatic societies, where everyone is always hugging, kissing and touching each other, I was certainly the exception. I worked for the Military for many years and weirdly they are also very tactile and huggy kissy folk. Not with me and I also won't shake hands, never have never will. Shaking hands with a stranger who you don't know or need to know their hygiene habits? No thank you. In a way all this stuff to protect ourselves, social distancing, washing hands etc. seemed very patronising at first, then I realised lots of people (men?) just don't do these things automatically. I suppose "every cloud " etc. and people are more aware of how germs and viruses are easily transmitted.

I can remember when I was young seeing people in France on TV kissing on meeting. I used to think 'how odd'. Now we're all at it!

I have always hated kissing people except family. In Holland they do a lot of it but I used to just stick out my hand!! I do that here too although since Covid I tend to smile and wave!

Same here Kate and MissA. We are not really used to it in the UK, I don’t know how they manage in Europe!

Esspee

I have never been a hugger except with people I love. Now I have the perfect excuse. Bliss.

Same here Esspee! If you sort of stand back people hopefully realise you don’t want to hug.

I never kiss anyone.
Friends or family.

How do I stop what has been expected for years. This cold I suspect I got from SIL who I am very fond of.

When greeting those I usually accept a cheek kiss from do I just say “sorry not doing this any longer”.

I've always found hugging and kissing anyone outside my family awkward and cringeworthy. I'm not sure why people feel the need to do it.

Stick an elbow in their mush and tell them to keep back! Or say you have herpes and don’t want to pass it on. I hate it when people assume that we want a kiss and a hug! No I don’t! So keep back!

I love hugging, and in normal times, hug anyone I feel affection for. But not now. Covid has put a stop to it.

I always went along with the continental double kiss, but really, it's not for me. I shake the hands of those I'm not acquainted with, friendly 'Hi!' for those I am but am not friends with and hug those I really like.

Kissing is a good way of passing on all sorts of viruses so I don't like it. Hugs for family and close friends only for me.