Professional Cycling For the Fans - Podium Kisses
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Suzie Green
07-15-09, 06:48 PM
What is the deal with 2 or 3 kisses on alternate sides of the cheek? Is there a standard? I always thought 2 were the norm, but now I'm confused. I noticed during the Giro that in Italy, 3 kisses is more common. Does anyone know the true scoop here?
Sorry for the dumb question....just killing time on "flat stage day"!!! :D
bkrownd
07-15-09, 06:52 PM
I would smooch those hotties right on their luscious lips. Cheek kisses are for grandma!
loopybunny
07-15-09, 06:59 PM
My Muslim friends always do three kisses. I still don't understand why, but they say it has to be an odd number. If they mess up and give four, they throw in a fifth. Maybe it's like that in other parts of the world as well.
DenisMenchov
07-15-09, 07:00 PM
You never took a French class? It's a cultural thing.
Laggard
07-15-09, 07:52 PM
They used to say that French riders did the two kiss thing and French and Italians did three. Or was it the other way around? I personally would do three. For obvious reasons.
monosierra
07-15-09, 08:57 PM
Hincapie did more than kiss the podium girl - he married her!
CollectiveInk
07-15-09, 09:11 PM
It's a French (and European) thing. When I was living in France the number of kisses varied by region. Sometimes 2, sometimes 3, occassionally 4. After awhile you just kinda stick your face out there and let them do their thing. lol
Nothing like getting kissed 21 times each morning. :D
bigfred
07-15-09, 09:23 PM
I dare ya'. I just dare ya' to attend an Italian wedding and keep track of how many kisses you exchange over the course of 2-3 days. I lost track of empty wine bottles after it broke 300. Kisses? I probably can't count that high.
Can't say that I'd blame the podium boys if they went for more than 3 in some instances;-)
haimtoeg
07-15-09, 09:27 PM
To my knowledge, three kisses are more traditional, practiced outside Paris, in Belgium, The Netherlands and maybe other places. Two kisses are more Parisian and other urban areas.
BTW - when kissing you always go left first, so you kiss the other person's right cheek before the left.