Tuesday 14 November 2006

Cheek to cheek

I think we've pretty much gotten the hang of the cheek to cheek greeting thing with the people here. See, when we first came, I made the mistake of putting my lips too close to the face of the person I am doing this with. So the rest of the time while we are having coffee and talking, I would be staring at my lipstick mark on the person's cheek and wondering if I should just grab a tissue to wipe it off or tell the person or what..

First thing we learnt from a friend here, ladies decide if it is done. So if you are a guy, please don't go up to a lady and do the "muack, muack" unless she initiates. Of course, this is if you've not established that you are friends. With friends, you do when you meet and when you part company. Guy or girl, it's fine. Then, there are those who do it twice (which means 4 muacks). This is if the person is really close like family and stuff.

And so, if you get the opportunity to do this, learn from my mistake, it's cheek to cheek so keep your lips turned away. And in winter, it's interesting coz when you do it, you can tell who's been out in the cold and who's been indoors. Ha, acts like a temperature guage to see how cold it is outside.

Otherwise, it's a nice gesture. It's more physical than a handshake, a little more intimate. Folks here are generally more expressive, more intimate and more in touch with emotions. Of course, they can swing to extremes too. Just like the other night, we were watching tv on cable and there was a segment on fashion photography. And it was bizarre coz all we saw was a photographer taking pictures of naked models. No clothes, shoes, hats, nothing..erm...so where's the fashion?

Jo

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

muack...muack! yup i'm not very good at it yet...sometimes encounter that with my more ang-moh frens..haha

jen : )

Anonymous said...

i know of another every expressive person at home, dad!

Wonder how the mix will be like when west meet east, french service vs Uncle Koh!!
That will be some expression ;-P

goggy