La bise: dos & don’ts

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From where to put your hands to what noise to make, Florence Villeminot shows Stephen Carroll how the 'la bise' works in France, in reaction to the British comedian’s video that went viral earlier this week.

[brettlarch]

As an American, I actually love le bise. I think it's an adorable greeting honestly.

[BlunderCity]

La bise is really easy. The only thing you need to watch out for is: "is he gonna kiss my left or my right?" And if you get it wrong, you get into Zidane headbutt situation. Apart from that, you're fine! Enjoy your stay in France!

[christinaa.]

it seems to weird to teach smth that comes so naturally to many people, it's amazing how culture can be developed so differently around the world

[shannonhyland]

I'm cringing so much 😭 I've been like 2 weeks in France and actually kissed people on the cheek what's wrong with me ?

[pioupiou]

OK, I just learnt I always did it wrong as a French... I feel bad

[ghastlycandle]

This gave me flashbacks to when I stayed in France with a host family and I did la bise with one of their family friends and he immediately said "You're the American aren't you?" - I hadn't even spoken a word to him so it wasn't like he knew I was because of my accent - and when I asked him how he knew he said it was how awkward I was when I did la bise lmao.
Also, I think this cute, but I noticed that a lot of French kids (young kids) will only do one cheek

[NapoleonGato]

I'm half French so me and my parents do this, I only realized what it was now when I google searched it. Traditions are cool

[Brian-ijto]

Similar to the " il bacetto" greeting in Italy.

[rouxanne-laure]

We as French do make mistakes when meeting someone from another region. It is considered ok to make mistakes on the side to start the bises from and the number of kisses 😉

[Princessgato]

I'm from the states, but me and some of my best friends have adopted la bise into our own little friend group culture- but female to male and visa versa

[Lux-zpgd]

Ohh I didn't know it was something from France, before the pandemic this was such a common thing in Argentina I really never wondered in what other countries it could be a common gesture too

[massy]

Im french, and that is exactly how u guys should do

[LauftFafa]

its not french only every nation in southern europe, near east, north africa do it so i presume its of a roman origin or greek origin

[pinkpinapple]

Growing up in a Hispanic church we did this greeting but it was only sonthing the women did the men would just shake hands and woman wouldn't greet a man like that it was an unspoken rule that it was what the women did. The only exception was if a older woman would greet a young boy or Young man like that as a grandmother type gesture or even motherly like gesture.

[azeezahgoodwin]

I remember when I was studying abroad and how sometimes guys would actually kiss me on the cheek, even though they knew that wasn't the way, to be flirty.

[noskicolombo]

It’s all fun and games till u have to give la bise to all your Tantine at the family function

[keitwayneeco]

On my left or at the other persones left?

[anthrophilosophia]

Paul Taylor either didn't see this; or more likely has found too many exceptions, as French tends to do

[anliqi]

I hate doing la bise. I'm glad I live in a place that doesnt do it.

[gottod]

Wow I did'nt know that this is a French thing, women in Algeria dobit, but it is not socially acceptable for non related adult men and women to do it, as for between men, it developped into a handshake with a head bump, or for me at least.