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StitchLand

Stitch

StitchSuper Member!

United States

June 20, 2006
Viewed 2799 times.

Growing up in Taiwan, people only shake hands in business situation. Other then that, we rarely have any physical contacts.

I am now in the U.S., so I am used to shake people's hands when I first met them, and sometimes also shake their hand when say goodbye. 

If they are good friends, I give them hugs. A big good hug is nice. : ) Of course it also depends on if the person is comfortable with it.

Hand shakes and hugs are pretty common when I interact with Americans, at least in the NW.

And then there is the cheek touching.

The first time was with a German friend. Saying goodbye, I got pulled forward, and then I realized that I should to make my very first kiss “sound”. We only touch our cheeks on both side (firs on the right and second on the left), but we make kissing sounds. I was wondering if my very kissing sound sounded all right. Many of the Europeans do this cheek touching greeting and goodbye.

With friends who are from South America, they always give you good solid kisses on both of your checks. I am fine being kissed, but still not used to kiss their cheeks.

04:37 AM Jul 29 2006

dougas

dougas
Portugal

Hello,

that is a diference. In Europe and specially in Portugal we give two kisses.

Where are you in USA?

I am going to boston 15Th August i will try improve my english to prepare me for the toefl tes.

Bye,

 Diogo

12:42 PM Jul 25 2006

someone111

someone111
Saudi Arabia

shaking hands is good .......

hugs not good........

but kissing the thing that i don't like at all.......

10:43 AM Jul 20 2006

chilena12
Chile

Hi Stitch!

It was funny to read about the "kissing sounds" you have to make when greeting someone. I am from Latin America, then for me it's so , so common to greet almost everyone kissing their cheeks and making those kissing "sounds"...LOL...(I think about it and it makes me laugh again)

I work for an Asian government organization based in my country so I've had the chance to interact with many, many Asian people from malaysia, philippines, indonesia, thailand, etc. However, it hasn't been easy to get used to the cultural differences. At the beginning it was really embarrasing. When I met someone I would go straight to kiss their cheeks and they would bow or put their hands together (as in prayer) and it would cause a very awekard situation. Now, I'm getting better everyday and learning that "being yourself" is not always the best. The typical me is smily, friendly, love to socialize but unfortunately those features are sometimes not very welcomed among Asian people. It's good to be tactful and learn about a culture before you get immersed in it. it would definitely save you tons of embarrasing situations.

 Allrighty

Thanks again for your post and catch ya later

Claudia 

 

 

06:26 PM Jun 22 2006

Bex

Bex
United States

*LOL* I think your kissing sound was more than likely just fine. I don't think you can mess up on that, really.

You're right, of course... even moreso than Canadians, Americans are very hand shakey/huggy people. Sometimes too much, even for my comfort, but it's seems so mean to refuse it. Europeans have their own traditions for goodbyes and other things. I got my hand held a lot by other girls who were Dutch. Seemed to be the thing for friends to do. Haven't had too much cheek-kissing, but you know what they say, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do", I guess.

 That was an interesting thing to list. Thanks for sharing!