Kiss at the Workplace: The "French Way"

You have just started a new job in France and it is your first day today. You are a little bit surprised, maybe even frightened, because in the multinational company or small firm you are working in, all your colleagues kiss each other in the most joyful way. You try not to look disgusted at the idea of having to do the same sooner or later and you have to admit it: despite all influenza threats, people do often say hello in France with one, two, three or even four kisses, “baiser(s)” or “bisou(s)”, as French call them. Should you do the same? Yes, you will have to get used to it. (Between executives the morning kiss is less frequent though). But take a deep breath, this will not be required during your first day at work. Shaking hands when you meet your colleagues the first time is enough except if one of them offers generously his or her cheek to you with a big welcoming smile.

You passed the first day and were lucky, nobody offered the terrifying cheek. After a sleepless night, you are tired of your redundant nightmares full of sticky, noisy and stinking lips. You decide to get early to work because your bed is not that friendly after all.

You are the first one in the office, what a relief! Unfortunately for you, a colleague arrives next and comes near you to say hello. Do not try to avoid the kiss if you noticed that it is the usual way of greeting in your team, otherwise people may think that you do not accept to be a team player.

As you and your colleague are alone at the office, because it is early, he or she may want to exchange a few words “Did you sleep well?”, “What did you do yesterday night?”, “Where do you come from?” etc... Do not try to avoid this smalltalk and, better, ask the questions back even if you think that you have more interesting things to do (work for example?). This is also important to be considered as a part of the team.

As people leave the workplace, I often noticed, but not always, that people do not kiss goodbye the others. Most probably because they are eager to get back home and they just say “bonne soirée et à demain!” which means “have a nice evening, see you tomorrow!”.

The number of kiss to be given can be different from one company to the other. We often say that in Paris, Normandie, Champagne and Pays de la Loire we give two or four kisses. In the Eastern part of France, in Provence, Drôme, Hérault, Gard, Vaucluse, Hautes-Alpes and Massif central we usually give two kisses. Some begin with the right cheek, others begin with the left one. Be careful there because it is very embarrassing if you offer the right cheek to someone who first offered his or her right one because in that case you meet his or her mouth!

As I told you, a kiss can be called “baiser” in French. “Baiser” is also a verb like "to kiss". It used to mean "to kiss" but times changed and now it has become a rude word. Never say “Je vous baise.” to somebody because the verb “baiser” is now used to say “to make love” in a very vulgar way. Better say “je vous donne un baiser” which is a very polite way to say “I kiss you”!