A new development: A Kissing Complex :S

I have no idea where the invention the whole double kiss greeting came from. I am considering asking my profs. It is a source of great perplexity that is constantly increasing. Perhaps it is a product of my conservative tendencies and cultural upbringing – the form of greeting is a hand shake generally. And the handshake is a beautiful thing showing both acknowledging in a friendly manner someone and at the same time, maintaining one’s personal space. Nevertheless, here in France, all of this wonderful reason is thrown out the window. Personal space invaded, strangers are more friendly with each other than I have been with some of my closest friends. The result: the double kiss as form of greeting with all – strangers, friends, families.

I have now kissed more people in the past 2 months than I have ever before in my entire life. I thought at first it was only something they did upon initially meeting someone…I was wrong. And now, I am forced to become a kissing machine. And worst of all, you have to kiss people that are creepy or make you uncomfortable, and in truth, would just like to run from in the opposite direction.
Case #1: Christophe. He lives in our apartment building and he is friendly but creepy (actually the textbook definition). The things he says sometimes makes my stomach quiver and gives me goosebumps all over. Nevertheless, he never ceases to do the double kiss everytime he arrives and leaves. YUCK! The worse part is, he used to live in the States so he knows this is not part of our culture and yet, he continues. Now, I’m sure you guys are wondering if he is hitting on us; I can say for sure that he is not, because he is gay. Katelyn and I hide from him because that way we avoid talking to him and doing the “bises”.
Case #2: Strangers – big and small. Who kisses someone upon first meeting them? Enough said there.

As a result of this experience, I will not only come home with better French (fingers crossed [A]), enriched with culture and experience, and a complex – I will probably never want to embrace another person again in any form or manner except my family. :S