Social kissing: Cheeks say yes, yes; lips say no, no

Remember the "Seinfeld" episode The Kiss Hello? The hysterical 30-minute segment in which every woman in Jerry's apartment building was puckered up when they greeted him? The one in which Jerry slapped a moratorium on hello smooches?

"Uh, listen. I decided I can't kiss hello anymore. I'm sorry. It's nothing personal. It just makes me a little uncomfortable and I can't do it. I'm sorry," he said, after backing away from a neighbor posed to plant a quick one.

Summer is a time for weddings, high-school reunions and bumping into acquaintances on the walking trail. While it might be your nature to greet someone with a kiss, not everyone likes it. For certain, there's no place for tongue wrestling or pats on the behind at social events, but is a handshake too cold? We phoned area etiquette expert Trinka Taylor for an opinion.

"Kissing on the cheek is always a warmer introduction than the standard handshake in a social setting if you know the person ... you are greeting well," Taylor said. "Kissing on the lips should be withheld for only those you are in a close relationship with.

"If faced with a bold kisser, turn your head so the offender will miss your lips as a target."

And if you're the overly affectionate one, Taylor suggests that you stick to the basic on-the-cheek version.

When it comes to kissing, some nationalities have their own customs. According to Blistex, the folks who make things like fruit-smoothies lip balm, the French adopted a four-kiss greeting beginning with the left cheek.

In Belgium, a one-kiss greeting is the rule when addressing someone near your age. For those who are at least 10 years older, three smooches is a mark of respect. And in Germany, kissing is restricted to family and very close friends. Handshakes are preferred.

When it's the first smooch in a romantic relationship, it's hard telling where it might lead. Take former first lady Barbara Bush, for example, who has been quoted as saying, "I married the first man I ever kissed. When I tell my children that, they just about throw up."

Or perhaps, in the case of the late Italian conductor, Arturo Toscanini, a kiss can help ward off a bad habit.

"I kissed my first woman and smoked my first cigarette on the same day. Believe me, never since have I wasted any more time on tobacco."

Guys seem to be publicly more affectionate toward each other than they were decades ago. Consider the kisses (and ignore the head-butting for a moment) exchanged by the tough soccer players during the final game of the World Cup or "man-hugs" shared by buddies.

For most practical purposes, the man-hug is a combination handshake and a one-armed hug. The right hand remains locked in the handshake while the left arm reaches around for a pat on the back.

Think back to the NBA playoffs and all of the man-hugs by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

But when it comes to hugging the opposite sex, Ian Grissett, a college senior, has a theory.

"A girl who pats you on the back when hugging, just wants to be friends. One who holds the embrace without the pat is looking for something more than friendship. And a woman who rubs your back during a hug is someone you've been dating a while."

"Or, your mom," Trinka Taylor added.

Actress Drew Barrymore once said, "Oh, I love hugging. I wish I was an octopus, so I could hug 10 people at a time!"