To be surprised about all the hugging and kissing going on in Brussels.

[Crunchymum]

Looks very unprofessional? Who kisses their colleagues?

I blame declining moral values in British society on the introduction of the continental quilt in the 1970s. Much more difficult to get up to filthy mischief when you were weighed down by kilos, I beg your pardon, pounds of sheets and blankets.

Is this supposed to be a joke?

Errr, very common on the continent.

OP they're not as clenched on the near continent dontcha know?

Unless they're making out and groping each other then ......

Totally normal in mainland Europe. I’m an expat here of 7 years and it’s so awkward when I meet another Brit as one of us goes in for a handshake whilst the other leans for a cheek kiss and there’s an awkward stomach jab. I think it’s nice!

Seriously?

Cultural thing. It can take a long time to start a meeting or gathering in France as everyone has to kiss everyone, sometimes two or three times per person. I imagine Brussels is a little similar.

I agree. The introduction of the continental quilt heralded polygamy, lose morals, dogging and homosexuality not to mention kissing. Only last week I had a hug with two colleagues. That would never have happened in 1975! Bring on Brexit and the return of basic decency. Rah rah rah!

You do know that things can and do work differently on other countries, yes?

Europe seem much more tactile than British people.

It's the norm there, so no it's not unprofessional.

Unless it's tongues, groping & PDAs there's no issues.

When do we find out the result? Anyone know?

Just when I thought I'd seen the dumbest thread on MN, this little gem pops up. Cheers for the laugh OP.

I like a good 50cm the English Channel between me and other people. Thinking about my previous colleagues, there are very few I'd want to get within kissing distance of!

Wut? Do you even know Europe?

It was meant to be rather lighthearted (sorry I forgot to explicitly say that!! I thought the irony was obvious, kisses and hugs for us bastards causing all the kerfuffle)

It has actually led me to ask the serious question about people who really don't like to be touched or kissed by relative strangers? Do you just suck it up because its how 'Europe does it' ?

And.... I've never seen Angela Merkel involved in all the kissing?

I was going to ask if you’ve never been to continental Europe... No matter how you feel about colleagues/acquaintances, it’s a polite greeting.

I actually just said exactly the same to my DP, I think it's very unprofessional and very fake!

I work for a company with offices all over Europe (and world wide) and have never come across the kissing. Granted I've only met my European colleagues in the UK and a hand shake has been the standard. Maybe if I was over in the Paris or Madrid or Berlin office, I'd have got a warmer greeting

Donnadon it's a completely normal greeting in continental Europe. Not all cultures are the same and that's ok.

It has actually led me to ask the serious question about people who really don't like to be touched or kissed by relative strangers? Do you just suck it up because its how 'Europe does it'?

If it's necessary, yes. When in Rome and all that. What annoys me is when pretentious people in the UK pick it up.

It has actually led me to ask the serious question about people who really don't like to be touched or kissed by relative strangers? Do you just suck it up because its how 'Europe does it' ?

Nah you just do the motion but keep your face a couple of centimetres inches away from theirs. Keep your body away, too. Social ritual carried out with minimal physical contact Also you quickly wise up to the kind of man who just wants to squeeze a woman for a few seconds

it's a completely normal greeting in continental Europe. Not all cultures are the same and that's ok.

This. Totally normal in continental Europe. Having grown up in a culture where more physical contact is the norm, I find the distance (physical and emotional) involved in business relationships in the UK to often be far more artificial, and make it harder to build a close relationship. However they also make it a lot harder to sexually harassed someone, which is definitely a plus... Like others say, different strokes and all that.

And I disagree with MythicalBiologicalFennel that it's okay to keep your face away, noone will call you out on it, but doing this can come across as the person being aloof, cold or a bit of a tease, depending on the people and relationships involved.

noone will call you out on it, but doing this can come across as the person being aloof, cold or a bit of a tease, depending on the people and relationships involved.

Well actions have consequences. One day I decided I would only hug and kiss whoever I wanted - basically family and close friends. Others will form opinions about me - aloof or whatever- and I am perfectly okay with that.