By Karen Brown

How to safely navigate a meet & greet in Italy

The answer seems obvious: To kiss of course! All Italians kiss, all the time.

The typical Italian mamma in the pasta sauce commercials embraces guests and smolders them with kisses. I am sure she exists, but I remember very well the summer, when I was in 10th grade and traveled to Tuscany.

We went with my friend Maria to visit her Aunt Carla, who opened her door and greeted Maria with plenty of hugs and kisses, just like in the commercials. Maria went on to introduce us and, following her example, we stepped up and hugged and kissed her aunt as well.

Thinking we were so clever with our social skills, we were surprised that our familiarity startled Maria's aunt and that she clearly was not amused.

It was a short visit; we all felt very uncomfortable and were glad when it came time to leave. We had been so proud, thinking we had learned the Italian way!

1. Don't Kiss!

It may not seem that way, but Italians do not kiss strangers. Instead they give a light handshake while saying "Piacere" and their name.

2. Kiss!

Strangers do become friends pretty quick. When it comes to say your goodbyes you may have already transitioned to status of "friend" and be kissed. If an Italian kisses you, don't hesitate, kiss back!

3. Kiss twice!

Remember, Italians kiss twice and normally left check first, then right.

4. Who to Kiss?

Girls kiss girls. Guys kiss girls. Guys usually don't kiss guys.

5. Kiss kids!

This is safe. You can kiss any baby and toddler. Preteens will usually be expected by their parents, to kiss back or even kiss first.

 

Karen Brown's Italy Hotels 2009: Exceptional Places to Stay & Itineraries

Karen Brown's Italy Bed & Breakfasts 2009

Karen Brown's Tuscany & Umbria 2009

Karen Brown's Travel Guides

 

For 30 years Karen Brown, the author, has been the undisputed queen of country side travel whether the countryside is in Europe, the United States or Mexico.

Karen loves traveling off the beaten path and discovering hidden gems. She researched and wrote her first travel guide during her college years at UC Berkeley. Thirty plus years later the Karen Brown series of travel guides has expanded to include seventeen titles and the interactive Karen Brown's World website www.karenbrown.com. Karen Brown's Travel Guides can be found in most bookstores and are available at Amazon.com (Karen Brown's Travel Guides) . When Karen is not traveling and researching the country side, she lives with her husband, Rick and her dog, Merlin on the coast side south of San Francisco, California.

Karen Brown's Travel Guides and her website Karen Brown's World complement each other. Her books make for wonderful armchair reading and are great to take along on your trip. Karen Brown's World of Travel www.karenbrown.com is an interactive travel guide where you can research your destination; find recommendations for sightseeing, descriptions of personally selected places to stay; create custom itineraries; book accommodations and much more.

 

© Karen Brown

Travel | To Kiss or Not to Kiss? How to safely navigate a meet & greet in Italy