French Greetings & La Bise: How Many Kisses Do You Give?

Few things confuse visitors to France more than the greeting ritual. Do you shake hands? Kiss once, twice — or four times? And which cheek first? Getting it wrong feels awkward, but the rules are friendlier than they look. This guide walks you through la bise (the famous French cheek kiss), how many kisses to give depending on where you are, when to kiss versus shake hands, and the exact words to say.

The basics: what the French actually say

Before the kissing, there are the words. The two you'll use most:

A golden rule: in France you say bonjour first, before anything else — entering a shop, asking a question, joining a group. Skipping it can come across as rude.

La bise: the French cheek kiss

La bise is the light cheek-to-cheek kiss (really more of a cheek touch with a kiss sound) used to greet friends, family, and often colleagues. It's not romantic — it's simply how people say hello.

How it works:

• Lean in and lightly touch cheeks, making a soft kissing sound. You don't actually kiss the skin.

• Start with the right cheek (so you lean left) in most of France — though this varies.

• It's common between women, and between women and men. Men usually shake hands with other men, unless they're family or close friends.

How many kisses? It depends on the region

This is the part that trips everyone up — the number of bises genuinely changes across France:

Two is the safest default if you're unsure. When in doubt, follow the other person's lead — and don't be surprised if locals themselves joke about the confusion.

When to kiss, when to shake hands

• La bise: friends, family, social settings, and increasingly relaxed workplaces.

• A handshake (une poignée de main): first meetings, formal or professional situations, and between men who aren't close.

• Just words: in shops and with strangers, a warm bonjour is all you need — no contact required.

Useful greeting phrases

Frequently Asked Questions

How many kisses do French people give? It depends on the region: two in Paris and much of the north, three in the south-east, and up to four in parts of the north-east. Two is the safest default if you don't know local custom.

Do French people kiss on the cheek to say hello? Yes — it's called la bise. You lightly touch cheeks and make a kiss sound rather than actually kissing the skin. It's a friendly, non-romantic greeting between friends, family, and often colleagues.

Which cheek do you start with for la bise? In most of France you start with the right cheek (leaning to your left), but this varies by region. Follow the other person's lead to avoid an awkward bump.

When should I shake hands instead of doing la bise? Shake hands for first meetings, formal or professional situations, and between men who aren't close friends or family. In shops or with strangers, a simple bonjour is enough.

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