When I first met my mentor, Claudia, at MBO College Centrum (a vocational school where I work, kind of like a community college but for specific trades like baking or tourism management), we had a bit of an awkward encounter. I had read online that Dutch people use three kisses to greet their friends and family, but I was not sure if that's how Claudia would say hello to me. As we walked towards one another, I stuck out my hand and we awkwardly shook hands, but she also went in for the three kisses. We crossed arms and had this funny one-armed hug, but with three kisses added. I was a bit uncomfortable since I had never done this before, but no worries, it was only about a five-second encounter. We laughed off this first experience, and then Claudia explained to me that she is used to greeting others with three kisses, even if they aren’t family or close friends yet.
The Dutch word for "to kiss" is zoenen. The three kisses are used normally with friends and family. Women normally greet men and women with kisses, but for the most part, men are more comfortable only using this type of greeting with women. Claudia explained that most people kiss in this pattern: right cheek, left cheek and then back to right cheek.
