Macron's recent visit to the UK reminded me of this.
The Baise-Main is a quaint French custom. It involves kissing the air about a centimeter above the back of a lady's hand.
But beware, the practice is filled with dangers. One cannot go around simply kissing the hands of just anyone; anywhere. As a schoolboy, I was always taught that the recipient must be a married woman. I was also taught that a Baise-Main only ever takes place in the lady's own home; but this seems to be ignored these days. We were also taught that one never kisses a gloved hand or that of a lady wearing a hat. Bizarre rules!
I did notice that when Marcon visited the UK recently that he kissed the hand of the Princess of Wales whilst she was wearing a hat; so maybe such petty details are ignored these days.
I've never been a big Baise-Main person. The only woman who was worthy of such things, in my immediate entourage, was our village Chatelaine, Lucienne, but we always exchanged 'bisous' as we were very good friends. So I lost the habit.
I do try to stick by the etiquette that I was taught as a child/youth, but these days one is regarded as an 'antique' if one abides by the stricter rules of Courtoisie.
These days it's more common to just say "All right mate?", to which the usual reply is "Yeah, all right". No Baise-Main, or formalities. That's the way things are in the 21st C.
So complicated. At least they just kiss the air so you don't get covered in slobber.
ReplyDeleteIt's the realm of Royalty and top Diplomats these days, so we are spared!
Delete"A "chatelaine" is a decorative yet functional belt hook or clasp with chains holding various useful items, like a watch, keys, or scissors..." and as we all know, AI is never wrong.
ReplyDeleteAs well as being a Lady who owns a Chateau; such as our friend Lucienne.
DeleteThere's lots of kissing here, cheeks or icons. I make smacking noises and kiss the air. Most people do the same.
ReplyDeleteIt stopped here for a few years after Covid, but I'm pleased to see that it's back again. We didn't even shake hands for a few years.
DeleteMy goodness, imagine trying to remember the correct etiquette! These days it's generally much simpler. Here it's normally a kiss, or a near miss on each cheek, depending on how well you know the person.
ReplyDeleteSame as here. It's a pleasant tradition.
DeleteTraditional etiquette got very disrupted with Covid, it is slowly coming back.
ReplyDeleteYes; I missed it. It was so strange not shaking hands or kissing friends. We're back to normal now.
DeleteSo good to read that your school curriculum covered the important things in life.
ReplyDeleteI was proper brung-up.
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