One of the more confusing and awkward aspects of business life – of life in general to be honest, but especially in business – is the matter of the greeting: when to do the peck on the cheek, the air kiss, and when to shake hands.With a man-on-man greeting, it’s clear: handshake always, except perhaps if it’s someone you know really well and haven’t seen for a while, in which case a manly hug may be order. Friend or colleague, acquaintance or stranger, men shake hands. Simple.
But with woman-on-woman and man-on-woman, it’s unclear and fraught: to peck, air kiss or shake hands?
Photo: Then French president Nicolas Sarkozy receives a kiss of greeting from German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris in 2011.
Far better, I think, if we all just shook hands, at least at work. Save hugs and kisses for family and close friends. (although there I reckon it would be better if the greetings were standardised, non-gender specific, with men hugging each other as well as the women).
So here is my call to everyone in business and politics: ban the peck. Let’s shake on it.