Kissing in the office

[MarillionFan]

I enjoy reading about cultures, so tend to try and find out what I should expect on getting to a country. If a furher turns up here, of whom I have no idea of his/her provenance, I follow their lead.

I bet you do. :nazi:

[AtW]

And what is the problem exactly?!?!?

[EternalOptimist]

Generally, if someone tries to invade my Space, I treat it as a physical attack and respond with a punch in the throat or a kick in the nut sack.
Respect THIS <nut>

[MarillionFan]

Generally, if someone tries to invade my Space, I treat it as a physical attack and respond with a punch in the throat or a kick in the nut sack.
Respect THIS <nut>

And how is Mrs EO's black eye?

[NotAllThere]

...I tend to just wait until they make their move first, if they stick their hand out then great, if they move in then offer a cheek up.... oh yeah, and don't forget some people do one cheek, some do both... Jesus...

The Swiss do three kisses - left, right, left.

Continental colleagues visiting. Lots of air kissing all round. What's wrong with a good old fashioned handshake?

Still, a handshake is unwanted physical contact. I've explained to my colleagues, that being British, I have a personal space that extends several miles (km), and that, in fact, I find it quite uncomfortable being in the same country as them.

(I now await the inevitable abuse...)

[EternalOptimist]

And how is Mrs EO's black eye?

Spooky. She does have a black eye. We were walking down the street on hols, and she walked smack bang into some traffic lights. All the birds in the shops and stuff are giving me the evils

[northernladyuk]

It's a tough one this. I have worked with many countries in Europe and the MEA over the last 3 years and it is a minefield trying to decide what to do when meeting colleagues, particularly when dealing with countries that have a strong culture and respect is key like Middle Eastern ones.

Knowing who to kiss on the cheek which is the norm in Algeria/Morocco and very offensive to ladies from Egypt, and who to shake hands with is an utter nightmare.

I tend to just wait until they make their move first, if they stick their hand out then great, if they move in then offer a cheek up.... oh yeah, and don't forget some people do one cheek, some do both... Jesus...

You seemed pretty sure of the etiquette when that Tunisian chemical tanker came into port last week.

[doodab]

The Swiss do three kisses - left, right, left.
Still, a handshake is unwanted physical contact. I've explained to my colleagues, that being British, I have a personal space that extends several miles (km), and that, in fact, I find it quite uncomfortable being in the same country as them.

Exactly. The English Channel is there for a reason.

[socialworker]

I bet you do. :nazi:

Um, Fuhrer. Or strictly, Fuehre