If there is one thing that really surprises foreigners, it’s the French way of doing the the “bise” (kiss on the cheek). Between family members, colleagues, friends… The bise is done everywhere for everything. To say hello, to say goodbye, to thank someone for a present…

And even the French get lost! Which cheek to start from? How many to do depending on the region? In towns like Nantes or Bordeaux, two bises are generally enough but in Corsica, there can be as many as five!

Generally, the bise is done:

• Between women.
• Between men and women in informal contexts. For a first professional meeting, if there is some hesitation, it is always easier to shake hands.
• Between men who are close friends. Otherwise, more often than not, men shake hands.

How do you do a successful bise ? The lips do not touch the other person, we simply brush the other person’s cheek whilst imitating the sound of a kiss. And that’s it! Last of all, if you are confused or embarrassed, the simplest thing to do is to say it to the person opposite with a smile.

Translation: La bise!!! Really? 

And you, how do you greet people?

Did you know?

Whilst people have been doing the bise for milleniums, it took on its full meaning in France after the Revolution, when it became considered as a demonstration of the equality of the people. When the republicans did the bise to each other, they raised their arms to show they were not carrying weapons. The number of bises was equal to their revolutionary fervour, which explains why in certain working-class districts of Paris, they still do four bises.