Today we explore la bise! That’s French for the kiss, but not just any old kiss, this is the kiss of friendship that I am referring to, the tradition the French have of kissing on the cheek when they meet friends and family. 

One of the etiquette rules that confuses just about everyone new to France is kissing! Do you or don’t you kiss someone when you meet them? How many times do you kiss them? We’ll take a closer look at a French custom that's both a greeting and a symbol of social etiquette, the history of la bise, the world’s first and so far only kissing festival in the south of France, top tips for how to get la bise right and why it doesn’t matter if you don’t! 

Plus we’ll save you from yourself if you’re a hugger – never hug in France, only la bise, and everyone will live happily ever after! 

Pucker up and dive into the fascinating world of the friendly French peck!

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Thanks for listening!