[zzleeper]

The problem is that often you might not be entirely sure about what's going on. In her case, the kiss in the cheek might just be cultural confusion (in Spanish-speaking countries we do that even with strangers).

Of course, after the lap thing... I don't even have words... How can you treat other people like that.. you are put in a position of power/responsibility and they use it to degrade others..

[wavefunction]

Well this was in the US, where people do not kiss colleagues on the cheek. I know your intentions are fair in mentioning this cultural practice but that sort of justification also presents a fair amount of minimization of obvious harassment. I mean, do you kiss everyone on the cheek in Spanish-speaking countries or just very close friends?

[y04nn]

I live in France, and it is natural to kiss on the cheek. Recently I was in UK and without even thinking about it I kissed a girl on the cheek to welcome her. After it happened I just realized what was going on. The thing is that it takes some time to reframe your behavior. But I have also been away several months and then it was feeling weird for me to kiss a girl on the cheek.

[Mandatum]

Recently had a French colleague do this to me in New Zealand. Was nothing short of hilarious. I made a warning sign for his desk.

[jacquesm]

In France it can even include the men kissing the men and nobody thinks anything of it. Cultures really differ a lot in this respect.

[yulaow]

Also in Italy, everyone. It is just the standard way to present yourself and/or say goodbye. I would also say I am more prone to do it with those people I don't know at all or very well than with my close friends.

[kentrado]

EVERYONE. In Spain they do it twice. Cause they are gangsters.

[hrbrtglm]

In France, it depends where you live, in some area people do it up to 4-5 times. It can be quite disturbing, even for a french :)

[wdmeldon]

Is that the French version of an awkwardly long handshake?

[SeoxyS]

I'm Swiss, we do it three times.

[Joeboy]

I live in multicultural London, and have no idea how to conduct myself in public.

[dogma1138]

Simple don't make eye contact with anyone who you weren't officially introduced too and only talk about the weather unless it's rugby season.

[gotchange]

You mean a real kiss on the cheek not a symbolic one where people place their cheeks side by side and just make funny sounds resembling a kiss?

Because here we're used to the symbolic ones for close friends and reserve those smooches for intimate or romantic relationships.