grand bisous

"le bise"

it is the biggest thing to throw me off in france. you know, the kissing on the cheek thing. it presents many questions and many awkward moments. at least for me. when do you do it? every time you see someone? i've figured out that it is the first time you've seen someone for the day, and the last time you'll see them. when you say goodbye. who do you do it to? collegues? strangers when you've just met? the man next to you on the bus? which cheek do you start with? how many bises do you do? i have been bised x2 x3 and x4 and none of it makes sense. the 4 bise bise was from someone older. i was told that the older generation does it, people from the country. also, i made the mistake of starting with someone's left cheek first, i think your right cheeks are supposed to touch first? if that makes sense. and it the moving from one cheek to the other, in the back of my head i am scared to death that i will move forward too soon and end up getting lips. some people make big kissing smacks, some make no noise. some physically kiss you on the cheek while others barely touch you.

i will do more research and get back to you.