Americans, why do you think it's so strange to greet with a kiss?

[Anonymous]

context, some time ago there was a sporting event in my country where many people from other places attended, the American fans were the ones who attended the most, to clarify, I live in a Latin country and here when we already meet someone we greet them with a hug and one or two kisses on the cheek (men usually greet each other with pats or hugs too), but when we interacting with Americans they were very confused and even cold, because of the movies and attitudes we thought they were more liberal so I assume that maybe just They are shy?

[__MisterGoneShiner__]

It's more of a european/balkan/anatolian thing to kiss on both cheeks and shake hands, or even hugging.

Let me explain.
Before covid, we would do the same in here (Turkey). If two or more people know eachother well,
- The men would toss the sides of their heads and shake hands and even hug, pat eachother's backs/shoulders.

- And women would shake hands and/or hug and, "kiss" eachother by touching/rubbing their cheeks to eachother's cheeks.

I hope it helped. :)

[jahaims]

I don't think it is strange I would just dislike it. I don't want to kiss anyone other than my wife and kids.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it’s strange, it’s just uncommon and so most people aren’t used to seeing it. You also consider that Americans tend to have larger personal boundaries than many other countries, and a history of “religious purification “ that doesn’t allow for outer-marital contact like that

[macjets007]

Machismo culture, and hyper individualism.