When you meet someone, do you hug, kiss, shake hands, other stuff?

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

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Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
We are weird critters. We have all sorts of hangups, and strange notions. When you meet someone, do you hug, kiss, shake hands, other stuff? Are there things you don't lke to do?
 

Definitely NO kissing, but a handshake, yes. Now, if the person knows the other person, still no kissing, but a hug or handshake is ok. From what I know from watching Italian mob movies, when men who know each other meet, they will shake hands, hug and give each other a kiss on the cheek.
 
I will always offer a handshake for people I have just met or don't know well. For everyone else, it's a hug. I'm a very tactile person and those who know me know that so they know what to expect :lol:

The exception is when someone I know is uncomfortable with that level of contact. I'm sure not going to force it, it's NOT my intent to make anyone else uncomfortable and I try and be mindful of other folks' boundaries and ease.

If I've gotten to know the person beyond mere acquaintanceship, I will typically say "I'm a hugger, by nature, may I give you a hug?" and take it from there.
 

Handshakes with most first time acquaintances, male or female, handshake and pat on the back with guys I know, hug and kiss on cheek with women I know, kiss on both cheeks with Italian buds from my old hood, multi-step handshakes with my brothers from another one of my old hoods.
 
I normally don't initiate them but I'm not opposed to a hug from a gal I know or a 'bro hug' if it's from a fella that I'm close to.

As long as we're on the subject, I'm not into this new 'bumping fists' deal vs a handshake.

A few weeks ago I ran into a fella at Home Depot that I used to work with and offered my hand in greeting (which he plainly saw) and he then stuck out his fist.....in my mind he didn't want to shake hands and I didn't want to do the bump fists deal so we didn't do either, we chatted a minute or two and parted ways.
 
Since I am Italian I hug and kiss family members or very close friends that way. If it's someone I'm meeting for the first time I usually follow with what they do. If they offer me their hand then I will shake it. It's funny because my Husband is Irish and he has picked up my habit of hugging and kissing family members ,but only family members. Others he shakes their hands.
 
It really depends, but I'm a great hugger so if I run into a friend I haven't seen in awhile, it's hugs and kisses. With others, I'm just polite and follow their lead but I see nothing wrong with a warm handshake. Like Sassycakes says, it really depends on your upbringing and the culture you are from.
 
Handshake for first time and acquaintances who I'm not very close to. For family and friends a hug, unless I see that person every day.
 
Oh, I forgot, I have done a "fist-butt" with a younger person and my wife and I do it sometimes as well. I think we picked it up from the movie Blended with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler. Sandler done it with his "movie" older daughter.
 
I'll shake hands. But a few years ago, I was in Ohio for a cousin's wedding & a guy from France was introduced to me. I wasn't familiar with different customs & when he went to hug me, I put my hands out & shoved him away. He looked surprised. Later, it was explained to me & I apologized.
 
I come from a kissing and hugging family.

When my former son-in-law joined the family, he didn't know what to do. He came from a very unaffectionate family and he would stand there like a pole when he was greeted with a hug and kiss. It didn't take any time at all for him to get into the spirit. Now he's a kisser and hugger himself.
 
I don’t come from a kissy, huggy family and get real uncomfortable with people initiating hugs. It’s too close for comfort.
Last month out seeing a jazz club with my brother some huge guy came up to me from the band to try and hug me and I suppose my discomfort showed all over my face because my brother laughed and instantly told me who the person was.
He was an old school mate from music class. He played the trumpet and we played in a few bands together in the past.

Im more reserved in that department. Even the other night I met up with an old friend and she practically jumped into my arms. That I don’t mind so much because I knew who she was at the time of the hug but when her husband approached me , I didn’t offer s hug or a handshake. At the end of the night I did offer a hug and it felt weird. I was however ok with my nephew hugging me.

I’m never into strangers kissing and hugging me. They might get a knee in the *****.
 
I’m very affectionate, my daughter and our friends always kiss on meeting and saying goodbye, but I’m not comfortable kissing strangers, I say hello and leave it up to them to offer their hand if they want to shake hands, (although I must admit I do like it if a gentleman kisses my hand) ....:eek:
 
If I'm meeting someone for the first time I just say so nice to meet you.

I don't offer a handshake, but if the extend a hand I would shake their hand.

I only hug and kiss family members.

If your in my family and you show up at my door your gettin' a hug...and can expect one when you leave.

All my grandchildren know they got to hug mom maw...
 
I'm with Popsn Tuff, none of the above. The arthritis in hands hates the firm handshakes others want to give. The problems in my spine don't appreciate hugs, so a "hi" or very gentle hug from family members, but no hugs from anyone else.
 
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