I recently read an article in the ThursdayStyles section of the New York Times, about kissing becoming the new handshake. People wanting to appear warm and welcoming, leaning in for a peck on the cheek or the pretentious European, two-cheek kiss, only to bump noses... heads...teeth with the poor, unsuspecting intended. I must say, I don't know how I feel about this. While it works for the French and the Belgians, I don't think Americans are quite ready for that type of contact just yet... I know I'm not anyway. In the article, one lawyer spoke of her embarrassment, after being introduced to and then going in to kiss a senior lawyer at a dinner party. "I went for a peck on the right cheek, but he was zooming in from the left...and I literally crashed into his teeth." Ouch! I don't think we've mastered the art of the friendly peck and hug, as a greeting in this country. We are too uncomfortable with such a notion. We'd be downright nonplussed, really! With sexual harrassment laws being the way they are, it can make for a discomfiting situation. The article mentioned how Bush administered a peck on Condoleeza Rice's cheek after she was appointed to his cabinet, yet he gave Andrew Card a simple, reassuring pat on the back to see him off, after his resignation. The article also went on to point out that men and those who're in dominant positions, tend to be the ones to initiate physical contact, when greeting a person for the first time. Reading this prompted me to conjure up images of all those occassions I extended my hand in greeting, only to have someone pull me forward for a hug or peck on the cheek, to show how excited they are to meet me, as I blinked and laughed nervously, totally flummoxed. I am also reminded of those times, in social settings, where someone... usually a stranger or casual acquaintance I've only just met (usually a man) will uninvitingly sling their arm around my shoulder or place their hand on the small of my back, much to my discomfort and chagrin. I am also reminded of the impromptu, deep-tissue shoulder and neck massage I received once in college, from a foreign student from Germany, during a seminar ... (don't ask). Needless to say, I jerked my shoulder to and fro (to demonstrate my discomfort) to no avail, for she kept kneading away (and once again, I implore you not to ask). In any event, while we as a society, are physical beings and tend to underestimate physical contact and the feeling of touch and yes I realize the world is increasingly becoming more diplomatic, I am just not comfortable with greeting someone I've only just met, with a peck on the cheek. Partaking in that type of greeting while in Europe, is one thing. It's me trying to adjust to someone else's culture or customs... but I don't live in Europe. I reside in the U.S. and I reserve the right to greet a stranger however I see fit, irregardless of their social stature. Once I've consumed a number of libations however, then decorum may go out the window. Whatever. Hugging someone at the end of a social gathering (after becoming acquainted with them) or giving a date or prospective paramour a peck on the cheek are not big deals, by any means... but I think I will continue to extend my arm and offer up my hand, until I get to know someone and develop some level of comfort. And besides, what if their breath smells like a Louisiana Swamp? Europe or United States... I'm not offering up my cheeks.