Friends and family usually meet each other and sometimes say
goodbye with a kiss on one cheek. This
definitely seems to be the preference over shaking hands or just giving each
other a hug—which is what I’m used to seeing in the United States. But I’m learning that it’s also the case
that people might kiss you on the cheek even if you have just met one
another—although I think this depends on whether or not they decide if they
like you….so the first impression is important.
I generally think of myself as an affectionate person, but I
have to say that being kissed on the cheek by several people I’ve only just met
has taken some time to get used to. I always appreciate the gesture, but I’m
never expecting it when it happens. So
I either fail to return the kiss in a timely manner—meaning it is extremely out of place when I try it—or
it is uncomfortable for both of us because I don’t give the kiss back at
all.
During my first week of teaching, one of my co-teachers walked
up to me after our students ran out of the room cheering for the bell, she
grabbed my arm, told me she liked my teaching, and then kissed me on the
cheek. But this all happened really
fast.
Step-grab-“I like
your teaching”—KISS—goodbye.
The kiss caught me
off guard, meaning I didn’t say anything back to her before she walked out of
the classroom.
Lately I’ve been improving.
I managed to meet two Georgian women who invited me to spend time with
them last weekend. They also kissed me
on the steps in front of my school, but by then I was expecting it and actually
saw it coming. But there are still so
many combinations in my head about how to return this greeting; I’m still not
sure I’ve got it right. I can’t tell if
you’re supposed to actually kiss the person on the check or if you’re only
supposed to kiss the air. Am I supposed
to kiss them and hug them at the same time or is this too affectionate? Maybe the kiss AND a hug is only meant for
family. And am I
allowed to give more than one kiss? I’m
pretty sure I’ve been kissed more than once.
I’m sure it sounds really ridiculous that I have to think about it so
much….but that’s the funny thing about living in a brand new place. I’m actually not overthinking it. I should probably figure it out.
On the up side, I’m meeting new people.
I love this - short pause kissing. You are doing a great job of MAR!
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