Way to greet a French person?

[Mass_Liberal]

We are having a French family over for dinner on thursday whose house we're gonna stay at for a month. I was just wondering, when you meet a french person, is it customary to just shake hands, or do you kiss on both cheeks? How about when you leave them for the first time?

I'm a bit confused about the whole greeting/kissing system and it would be a massive help if someone could explain it to me. Thanks a ton, (don't want to seem like an uncultured git (which I am)).

[Bluebear]

1. The French kiss is traditional.

When you meet a French person you should immediately grab them and give them a long French kiss to make them feel welcome. :)

[Lone_Star_Dem]

3. From now on I'm telling everyone I'm French

:D

[Mass_Liberal]

4. sounds great!

As Eurotrip has taught us, our nation was founded by prudes, and connecting with our European brothers and sisters will guarantee us the Crazy European Sex Odyssey that is our birthright.

[jurassicpork]

11. If they're assholes, though...

...tell them to drop in on Dumbya at Crawford during his vacation and that he'd welcome the surprise visit.

JP
http://jurassicpork.blogspot.com

[auntAgonist]

2. I think I would greet them as I would greet anyone

coming to my home. If you don't kiss other guests on the cheek, then why change now? Just be yourself and welcome them into your home. A handshake is always a friendly gesture.

:hi:

[Chicago Democrat]

5. You have to get a Beday or they wont be able to poop!

Sorry, just kidding. You kiss them, tongues extended, then twist bothnipples, (its traditional) Then say....


"Mangez moi, mon amor..."

Then bend over...


Also, French people need Froi Gras once per 24 hours.

[Mass_Liberal]

6. in all seriousness tho

...

[Heidi]

9. In your home is in the US, you should greet them as you would

greet any other guest, seriously.

When you get to France, though, you'll want to be prepared for the kissing thing. The first time I encountered it after moving to Switzerland, I ended up kissing my husband's 70-year-old uncle squarely on the lips, because I didn't know which side to start on.

Here, when someone approaches you for the kissing thing, it's pretty easy to follow his/her lead. It starts with not a real kiss, but sort of an air kiss, to YOUR left (the other person's RIGHT cheek), then to the right, then back that person's left check again. I generally do it while sort of shaking the person's hand, but I ONLY do the kissing thing if someone else starts it. I usually shake hands.

[IChing]

7. I would greet them in simple french

Hello, How are you and welcome to our house to make them feel welcomed

Bonjour, Comment allez vous
accueillez à notre maison

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. Hmmm...your French is excellent, IChing...

Where did you learn it?

:hi:

[IChing]

13. First-third grade in France Military Brat

then some high school french,

My Danish is much better
obviously with my kids.

Simple greetings are important to make a beginning connection

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. So you got to learn some in France? Lucky, lucky you!

That is the way to do it, of course...I didn't know you also know Danish...obviously with your kids? I'm lost here...did you also live in Denmark, or what? If you feel like answering, of course!

And I agree wholeheartedly about the importance of simple greetings being important!

[democracyindanger]

8. Let them make the first move for a kiss

Otherwise, a handshake, Euro-style: Just one downward motion, not a hand pump.

[Bossy Monkey]

12. Welcome them the way you would welcome anyone

They are not going to expect you suddenly to become a French person. Shake hands if that's what you normally would do, or wave and smile if that's what you would normally do. "Salut!" (pronounced, more or less, sah-LOOOOO) is the usual friendly French greeting, but there's no reason in particular for you to greet them in French unless you're fluent (and so would have known this already) and are thus planning to conduct the entire evening in French.

In sum, be friendly, act naturally, don't worry about it, and have a good time.

[Floogeldy]

14. I take it you're gun shy about the lip-lock, tongue, reach-around . . .

. . . and strategic tit squeeze.

Just relax! And go with the flow.

:o

[driver8]

15. How about with a bar of soap and a bottle of wine???

I'm kidding, I'm kidding...

But you do know how "those people" are, right??