Kissing

In Continental Europe it is traditional to greet friends with a platonic kiss, although the custom varies from country to country. In France, for instance, they greet each other with a kiss on each cheek while in Belgium you would greet your friend with three kisses on alternate cheeks. The Italian politician, Silvio Burlosconi, insists on being welcomed with a kiss on all four cheeks.

In the Anglo-Saxon world, by contrast, kissing is considered to be an erotic activity involving the touching of lips and, if your luck is in, tongues. Anthropologists believe kissing may have evolved from primitive grooming behaviour or mothers masticating food for their young. Other, more sensible anthropologists think that it is just fun.