Of course, folks make allowances for the dumb American who hasn’t yet caught on, but for the most part, kissing is just something you have to get used to here.
For future visitors to Mexico, I’ve outlined a few of the basics to kissing in this great country and even posted a photo for a visual aid.
1) Kissing is for friends and family—You don’t kiss the janitor in the airport, or the guy driving the taxi, but you kiss pretty much everyone else. If you think you are going to see them again, and you want to be on friendly terms with them, a kiss is in order.
2) Guys don’t kiss guys—This is a relief to most of us men. Some exceptions apply. At the airport this morning, my dad kissed me goodbye as he headed out on one flight and I on another.
3) It’s not real—When you greet someone, you don’t really kiss them. It’s more of a cheek to cheek touch but making a kissing sound. My kids have asked me about the technicalities of this and what percentage of the lips should touch the other person’s cheek. I don’t know the Mexican answer to this, but my guess is that a 60% LTC (Lips Touching Cheek) contact is about right. If you don’t care if you see the person again, a 20% LTC ratio is about right. (In the photo here, I would say it is a 50% TLC ration).
4) Right side—You always kiss the other person’s right cheek. This is confusing, I know, but it means you always move to the left when you go in for the kiss. It can be wise to strategically place a dab of cologne on your right side of your neck, if you are wanting to smell nice, or if you prefer, a fake mole with hair protrusions if you anticipate meeting someone you really don’t want to get close to.
5) It’s not about the kiss—It’s good to keep the spirit of the law in mind, and not the letter of the law. It’s not about lips to cheek contact, it’s about expressing warmth, hospitality and acceptance. I suppose you could kiss someone, fulfilling the letter of the law, and punching them in the gut at the same time. Even if you don’t kiss, making good eye contact, showing kindness, respect and affection with a lingering handshake or an affirming look will do.
I’m heading back to the US today en route to Africa. I’m going to see if I can get away with kissing someone and I'll pull the, “Hey, I’m a Mexican now!” card.
Go kiss someone today and post a comment on how it went. Tell them a Mexican told you to try it.
6 comments:
From a Jack in the Box hamburger stand in Calexico, California, you just made me want to visit MEXICO.
I intend to come visit you guys at some point, I need to print this out and study it.
It would have been so much easier to come to over to Ohio from Indiana.
I think you covered pretty much every aspect of the technicalities of the Mexican greeting kiss. I just want to stress the importance of point #4. You really don't want to mess this one up.
If you happen to turn the wrong way during this delicate operation, it can turn into a pretty embarrassing, or hysterically laughable moment, depending on whom you just kissed on the nose or the lips.
Just remember that any degree of LTN (Lip Touching Nose) ratio is looked unfavorably in most cultures, and the LTL (Lip Touching Lip) maneuver is only reserved for very special people.
I was kissed on the cheek by a Mexican in such a way today and it really took me aback seeing as I am currently in the UK and had never actually met a Mexican before I met this young man. I just stood there looking a bit silly as he did it, so I hope he didn't take offence. :S
#4 its strange ha im mexican and some times i just wonder.. who made those rules??
you really dont want to mess up and "dance" with the other person ha obviously i've been there and its horrible haha
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I think its not a rule to kiss if you dont want to, sometimes i just shake hands and its pretty obvious i dont want to kiss them
Well, heres how it went. I met this hot chick, same age, but im american and shes mexican. We cheek kissed, but I kinda hit the side of her face a little hard with my cheek, so heres the question. Will she just lol and then forgive me for being a whitey or is this really offensive?
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