The Essentials

A Guide to Cheek Kissing Around the World

When you’re traveling around the world, you may find that a kiss on the cheek is a customary greeting. But the kiss greeting varies depending on where you go.

If you’re in Colombia, Argentina or Peru, one kiss is the standard.

If you’re in Italy, Greece, or Germany, you can expect two kisses.

But it gets confusing. In Paris, two kisses is the norm. And then in Provence, expect three kisses. If you’re in the Loire Valley, it’s four.

Another helpful tip for navigating the cheek kiss is to start the kiss on the right cheek (unless you’re in Italy, where the kiss starts on the left).

And air kisses are generally frowned upon…literally.