Mwaa! Mwaa!

[FredPuli43]

When did the French practice of social kissing arrive and become established in Britain? Just noticed that David Cameron went through this ritual with some female friend or acquaintance in St Paul's, which seemed a little odd to me. And when will it extend to two, heterosexual, men on their meeting? I'd date the practice to about 1965, when I saw my own mother recoil when some woman tried it on her !

[bobtheturkey]

soldiers coming back from the war brought it with them

[lady-janine]

is that what is called french kissing?

[society]

Someone believed the other cheek would be jealous, so they turned the other cheek. :)

[magsmay]

Fred -young men are now cuddling one another in man hugs - its a chav thing borrowed from the Gypsy community

[McMouse]

"soldiers coming back from the war brought it with them"
Wasn't that clap?

[Sqad]

McM.....LOL

[lady-janine]

do people clap when they meet?

[FredPuli43]

Which war was that, Bob? I never saw it before the '60s. I think if it had come here after the War, I'd have noticed; I was born two years after the Second World War ended . Agree about the clap though.

[tenrec]

In the 50s and 60s our family did not hug or kiss. Now we all hug and kiss and that includes my 90 year old mum.

[Old_Geezer]

I suspect it caught on through the entertainment industry, they're keen on these air kisses type thing on each cheek aren't they ? And many treat whatever celebs do as the ultimate thing to get in on.

[Old_Geezer]

I believed my cheeks would get jealous, so after the first two I turned around and bent over so the others wouldn't feel left out.

[tenrec]

LOL at OG