When I arrived at my Spanish friend’s house last year for the most non-traditional Thanksgiving meal I’ve ever had, I got a kiss on the cheek from more Spaniards than I could count. While normally awkward for me, I thought – I could get used to this!
Each country has its own unique greeting style, and in this guide, I will explain these variations to you.
The custom of kissing
Around the world, there are 195 countries all with different ways to say hello: some kiss, some bow, and some hug. Let’s take a look at how these interactions take place and I’ll share some of my experiences along the way. So, when you next meet someone new, you’ll know when to smooch and when not to smooch.
North America: Lean in for a handshake
In North America, a simple handshake, a smile, or maybe a hug (for a more personal hello) will suffice – but it depends on where you are. In the US, for example, greetings can really vary from coast to coast and from urban to rural areas. Canada and Mexico, on the other hand, greet by their own rules.
United States
On the West Coast, greetings are calm and cool, where you might say, “Hey, how’s it going?” while pointing without touching. Southern and Midwest locals are likely to hit you with an easy-going, “Hey y’all!” or spend all night at the airport saying goodbye before actually leaving. The East Coast, by contrast, interacts at a faster pace with a quick “Hello!” and a handshake, sometimes with a pat on the back.
Canada
When I took a trip to Canmore, one of the best places to visit in Canada, I went to hang out with my Canadian friend who lives in the Rockies. When we reunited, she leaned in for a light kiss on my left cheek, which is common in Canadian-French cultures. Her cat, on the other hand, greeted me with a death stare. Which brings me to my next question, “Which other cultures kiss to say hello?”.
Mexico
While in Mexico they may use some of the same greetings as in the US and Canada, they also lead with their lips here by saying hello with a kiss on the cheek. Once I dated a guy from Mexico City, famed for its art and cuisine. His mother would always hug and kiss me on the cheek when she saw me. While the kisses were nice, the “sopes” she cooked were even nicer.
Latin America: Spice things up with a “beso”
When North American greetings get stale, start off with a trip to Mexico and then travel further south to the rest of Latin America for a spicier greeting. From enthusiastic handshakes in Brazil and a warm kiss in Chile or Peru to a hug in Argentina, there are many ways to greet a new “amigo”. Wherever you travel in Latin America, you’ll feel the friendly hello between the “¡Buenos días!” or the abundance of physical contact – including kisses.
Guatemala
During my first few days on a trip in Guatemala, we were visiting a coffee farm and I remember arriving to meet the full group. Our guide, a local Guatemalan, gave me the biggest hug and kiss on the cheek I’d ever had from someone I’d just met. So, be prepared for the warmest of welcomes whenever you’re travelling in Guatemala.
Colombia
In Colombia, it all depends on who’s greeting who. It’s common for men to greet one another with a firm handshake and for a man to greet a woman with a kiss on the cheek. Colombian women say hello to each other with an “air kiss” and an “arm clutch”. My friend Laura, who’s from Bogotá, would usually lean in for a gentle hug with a huge grin.
When in Europe: Kiss vs. handshake
While International Kissing Day originated in the UK, how one kisses, or greets, often varies from East to West. Eastern Europeans will dominate the handshake with a power grip and direct eye contact. In contrast, Western Europeans have a way of greeting with a cheek kiss, meaning a kiss on each cheek – and sometimes even a third kiss.
Italy
Known in Italy as “il bacio”, this is the common phrase referring to a kiss on both cheeks. My grandfather told me stories of old-school Italian traditions where he’d lean in to kiss his parents. This is very common for cultures that kiss on the lips as a greeting. I didn’t have this experience when travelling in Italy, but I wasn’t around any close relatives – or cute Italians, for that matter!
Iceland
Expect a light handshake when meeting a new Icelandic friend and – if you’re lucky – a smile. When I was road-tripping through Iceland, I learned how to strike up conversations with locals. I had a chat with a descendant of a Viking who took us on an expedition through ice caves, and while he was a bit intimidating at first, he ended up being a memorable character.
Asia: Respect the motions
Shifting to the East, greetings in Asia are always treated with utmost respect but usually don’t include a kiss. In Thailand, it’s common to acknowledge an elder in the room with a “wai”, or slight bow, whereas in China, strong handshakes are more common. Just avoid a playful headbutt while bowing, because in Asian cultures your head is considered sacred.
Japan
During my trip to Japan, I quickly learned a few greetings: when you enter, give a gentle head nod and smile while saying, “Konnichiwa”, or “Hello”. When you exit the room, fold your hands into prayer and bow back at the person while saying “Arigato gozaimasu”, or “Thank you”. This simple greeting from a foreigner will wow the locals in Japan – trust me!
Philippines
With acquaintances in the Philippines, it’s common to keep your greeting to a handshake or a smile and wave, whereas with close friends and family, a single kiss on the cheek is accepted. When I was introduced to new friends while visiting, they would give me a light hug. I followed this practice during the rest of our trip but didn’t see many kiss greetings in public overall.
Adieu: Saying goodbye
From triple kisses to strong handshakes, there’s no shortage of ways to greet new friends around the world. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s how important it is to research what countries kiss on the cheek as a greeting. And when in doubt, just do as the locals do. You’d be surprised how getting a kiss on the cheek as a hello can make you feel at home a million miles away. If you enjoyed this guide, check out more on KAYAK for suggestions on cheap holidays for couples, romantic getaways in the UK, and the most romantic places in the world to propose.
