When this virus crisis ends do you think we'll be less of a huggy kissy nation

[LaureBerthaud]

I always cringe when I see Brits try to do the kiss on both cheeks thing - it doesn't come naturally to us like, say, the French. And whilst I'm affectionate with DH, DC and the dog, I don't like hugging or kissing extended family/friends/randoms.

Do you think us less tactile people will have an excuse to keep our distance once this crisis is over or will the huggers be desperate to resume their hugging?

My family and I are not tactile at all, but there are a few friends I am desperate to give/get a big hug from.

My in laws are v tactile and I miss hugging them. I'm happy to make no contact with people who arent friends or family!

Amelie From one hugger to another, I hear you!
I am very tactile...the majority of my friends greet with a hug and a peck on the cheek, so this lockdown has been hard for us all! One friend is definitely not a hugger, but even she has said she misses having the option!
I think we'll all go back to being the same as we were, to be honest, I think those initial greetings will be reluctant because we've been used to social distance, but they will also be sweet and just a bit more special.

I'm thinking of coming clean with the in-laws (after 20+ years) and saying "I'm really fond of you all but I've done it your way for over two decades - going forwards, it's my way - no hugs or kisses!"

I really hope not.

I'm going to hug everyone that I can when we're through this

I hope so

I’m retiring from work soon and quite relieved that I won’t be able to hug or kiss anyone, long may it last with people outside of family

I hope so, people don’t know what to do here it’s an awkward mish mash. I used to hate that some clients would argue to an air kiss.

I think the two cheek kiss a la our French cousins is most often an air kiss anyway, and no bodily fluids are swapped.

My auntie used to 'kiss' me by putting her cheek close to mine, no lip action or noise at all.

I fucking live for hugs and kisses. I'll be sure to make a gesture first to gain consent for this, I don't want anyone to be uncomfortable. I have a close friend who doesn't hug or kiss at all so I'm used to keeping my distance when required.

I do like shaking hands in a business context and I hope that this can continue, along with a much better adherence to hand washing.

I didn't realise we were a huffy / kissy nation.

I don't even shake hands with people.

I can almost handle air versions but some isolate don’t do that (thinking of one) makes me curl.

Some people...

Of course it will, they'll be a lot of mistrust around after this but over time, it will be forgotten.

Down here in friendly Cornwall (among friends!) shaking hands for the men and a kiss on the cheek for the women is a common greeting in the pub or social club.

I hope that will return.

Another who hopes so too. I hate all this hugging and kissing - I always find myself pulling away and the other party is holding onto me - just awful.

I bloody hope so! I hate shaking hands with work people.

I wonder if we'll switch to a sort of bowing system.
I have to admit it was nice (before it was shut) not to have to hug anyone at my church. Can be quite a huggy group. Saw several people go in for a hug, then awkwardly stop.

Blimey. I'm a hugely tactile person, but I've never kissed anyone at work other than my now DH - what jobs do you all have?

I’d go for bowing

Might help us for next pandemic

Bowing isn’t needed. A nod of the head is fine.

Or nod of head would do it

I don’t think we are a particularly huggy kissy nation, but I do think the tradition of greeting people by kissing them is definitely part of the reason why the virus spread like wildfire in Italy and Spain.

Hand shaking on the other hand needs to become a thing of the past.

Definitely - absolutely no need for it at all. A real relic of the past. I've always hated it.

As for hugging/kissing, should be close friends/relatives only - not for people you've only just met or being introduced to.

So, OP, yes, I think it's legacy will be that we're all less touchy with each other and that can only be a good thing. I also hope some of the improved hygiene habits will stick too.

At work it is usually younger women that like to kiss and hug. Not the men.

I don't think we are a huggy, kissy nation either. Lots of people are but not the majority. I'm in the not huggy and kissy camp. My parents get a brief hug on arrival which suits us all. FIL used to fancy himself as a suave, continental type of man leading to awkward kissing greetings where nobody knew how many kisses to do and everyone feeling uncomfortable.
Less of that is a plus.

I hope so. I hate hugging/kissing anyone who isn’t my immediate family, it makes me so uncomfortable.