Kissing or shaking hands?

Discussion in 'Culture' started by Krtecek, Aug 6, 2005.

  1. Krtecek

    Krtecek Member

    Ahoj!
    From the first time I went to Czech Republic until now, I have every time noticed that Czech people are not used to kiss each other when they meet, as we do in France and in Switzerland.
    Even very good friends don't! They just shake hands...
    Can sombody confirm it, or has somebody something to say about it?
     
  2. withoutaim

    withoutaim Active Member

    Čau Krtečku!:)

    Yes, this stuff you've mentioned is absolutely normal in the CR. I can't imagine kissing people due to say good-bye or hello! As well as big cuddling isn't normal. (Of course - there is exception: very very very good friend (it's usual to touch him or her, or big reunion after long time.

    Jirka :)
     
  3. Dana

    Dana Well-Known Member

  4. frenchczech

    frenchczech Member

    it's not all true, in the eastern part of czech republic they can kiss the good friends on lips male or female, it's very different than western part of czech republic
     
  5. Dana

    Dana Well-Known Member

    Long live Moravia! :D
     
  6. Martina

    Martina Active Member

    It's unusual to kiss on lips, but it may happen. There is different regions in Czech Republic. I am from Prague and kissing and hugging is very unusual there. Eastern Czech..Moravia rich in wine gets their heads going :p Moravia and Slovakia is most likely to kiss and hug then in Western parts of the Czech Rep.
     
  7. Ainafeaiel

    Ainafeaiel Member

    I can vouch for that :) I struck up some lovely friendships with some visiting Moravians. We very quickly went from shaking hands to kisses on the lips and a lot of sincere affection. It's a cultural difference i find very charming! It does indeed seem to be less common in the west of the country.
     
  8. withoutaim

    withoutaim Active Member

    There is no reason to kiss people I have only known for short time... And (not only) French custom is horrible!
     
  9. wer

    wer Well-Known Member

    Yes, that's terrible. It is'nt usual in East Bohemia.
     
  10. magan

    magan Well-Known Member

    I grew up in Prague and lived there till I was 22 (till 1968). I had never seen any "friends", parents and children, siblings, best friends or acquaintances kissing on the lips. Kissing on the lips was considered "sexual" - simply not done unless it was in sexual situation.

    Hugging with very best long time friends only if we have not seen for long time... longer trip departures and arrivals hug and kiss on cheek with parents.

    Also "I love you" (miluji te) was never used in parents/child situation or with friends. I like you (mam te rad) was used with boyfriend/girlfriend (in serious relationship only) not with children/parents or friends.

    After living in Canada most of my life, I still feel that it is inapropriate when I see other people who are not lovers/spouses kissing on the lips. I would never do that.

    In North American culture you hear "I love you" all the time. It is considered "a good thing" and you would be very bad parent if you wouldn't tell that you your children/grandchildren often. In CR we were saving it for that one and only person we were planning to live rest of life with (and even then it was used very seldom).

    That could be one reason, why Czechs consider North Americans "shallow".
     
  11. magan

    magan Well-Known Member

    In North America, we more or less shake hands only when being introduced. In CR shaking hands is used way too often and long, even after people know each other for some time. I have Czech girlfriends and they always look like they want to shake hands with me. I don't find that comfortable (feels ridiculous) so I usually turn the notion into touching arm and hand trying to avoid formal shake. They usually stop doing it after a while and it will turn into pattting arm of the one who is staying and saying "buy etc." After living away for so long I just cannot participate "in shaking" beyond introduction, unless it is much older person when I do it out of respect for their old age.
     

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