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> If you are introduced to someone (a stranger), it is normal courtesy to shake hands with him/her (and that's it, no hugs, no kisses) Are you sure you aren't
by umvi 7y ago
> If you are introduced to someone (a stranger), it is normal courtesy to shake hands with him/her (and that's it, no hugs, no kisses)
Are you sure you aren't extending the culture of northern Italy to all of Italy?
When I lived in Rome/Naples, it seemed like with almost everyone I met we shook hands and did the "air kisses" (not a real kiss but you still lean in close and touch cheeks).
It didn't ever happen to me with restaurant owners, sure, but then again I never really interacted with anyone other than the waiter/waitress/cashier. I could see it happening in a super small hole-in-the-wall mom and pop type restaurant though.
- riffraff 7y agoI am from Rome, the cheek kiss is common amongst people who know each other, and sometimes it applies "transitively" (e.g. a friend's partner which you don't know), but it is definitely not done when meeting random people at work. You could be kissing someone on the cheek coming in your restaurant if you are familiar with them, but it's not very common.
- jaclaz 7y ago>Are you sure you aren't extending the culture of northern Italy to all of Italy? Yes, I am pretty sure, as a matter of fact I am more familiar with non-Northern Italy habits, as I am Italian (from the center and living in the center) but I have lived years in the South and also some time in Rome and near Naples. Again I am not talking of people you know and are friend with, I am talking of: 1 - people that have just been introduced to you 2 - normal greetings between people that meet in commercial or professional environments The case of: >I could see it happening in a super small hole-in-the-wall mom and pop type restaurant though. can surely happen, but it is not common/everyday as the folklore might lead to believe.