Strange Maps has a post on the cartographic mapping of (greeting) kissing rules in France. Note that’s a very welcome tool for the next social round. Indeed, mismatches are occasional, even between French people.
As far as I can tell, the “one kiss” rule is ‘offending’. You can manage easily the “three kisses” rule whenever the mismatch occurs, either carrying on the way or politely asking “three?” (and carrying on anyway). Usually a brief discussion about one’s origin follows. I never met any “four kisses” follower (now you can guess where my friends are coming from!).
Note also Frog Smoke, an ethnographic blog that affords some very interesting things (even more now that I’m back in France and quasi feel like a foreigner, only after two years…).
Later Edition: It would be nice to have the same kind of study to know if there’s a geographic effect for the cheek you’re supposed to offer… That’s another serious issue!
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