La Bise
La Bise is a traditional French greeting which involves kissing another's cheeks when you greet him/her. This lesson will guide you through the etiquette and role of La Bise in French culture.
The Challenges of La Bise
English comedian Paul Taylor discusses the challenges of greetings in France from the perspective of a non-native. While you watch this video, consider how you would greet your friends at a get-together and how that may seem to somebody from another country/culture.
Original video courtesy of French Fried TV. Edited for educational purposes.
Original video courtesy of French Fried TV. Edited for educational purposes.
How many bises?
One big challenge for natives and non-natives alike is how many kisses should one give when greeting friends, acquaintances, and meeting people for the first time? The number can vary greatly, as can the cheek (right or left) that you begin with.
To answer that question, visit the site Combiendebises.com, a site which polls actual French citizens about La Bise in their region. Click on your assigned region to find out what the common answers are for each region.
Here is some helpful vocabulary:
une bise = kiss
un votant = voter
donner (donnent) = to give (give)
la joue = cheek
gauche = left
droite = right
indifféremment = indifferent (they don't care which cheek they start with)
femmes = women
hommes = men
To answer that question, visit the site Combiendebises.com, a site which polls actual French citizens about La Bise in their region. Click on your assigned region to find out what the common answers are for each region.
Here is some helpful vocabulary:
une bise = kiss
un votant = voter
donner (donnent) = to give (give)
la joue = cheek
gauche = left
droite = right
indifféremment = indifferent (they don't care which cheek they start with)
femmes = women
hommes = men
Is it really that confusing?
La Bise can be confusing for French natives and travelers alike, but there are some ways that you can make it easier on yourself. Watch the video below which gives you five simple rules to follow when greeting the French, created by a French native!
Video courtesy of Comme Une Française.
Video courtesy of Comme Une Française.
How do you do it?
For Americans, this custom is extremely foreign and unusual, but it's important to respect French culture when greeting French people. Watch this video to learn the art of the cheek kiss for the American.
Video courtesy of Howcast.
Video courtesy of Howcast.