Culture：Cheek kissing
【明報專訊】The Smarties have gone to France for the first time. They find it weird for people to kiss one another when they greet or part company with one another.
「 Pat: Paris, the most romantic city in the world... 」
「 French A: Bonjour!* 」
「 French B: Au revoir!* 」
「 Pat: How romantic! People kiss one another everywhere! 」
「 Eason: Bonjour everyone! 」
「 Dr Panda: No strangers greet one another this way. People have taken umbrage at your behaviour! 」
(*Bonjour = Hello; Au revoir = Goodbye)
■ Culture tips
In countries like France or Belgium, it is common for two people to kiss each other on the cheeks when they meet or leave each other. Called "faire la bise" (kiss on the cheek) in French, it is done by leaning towards the other and touching the other's cheek with one's own. Handshaking is a formal way of greeting people in the UK, Russia (俄羅斯), New Zealand (新西蘭) and China. In Japan, people often bow to greet each other.
(see photo C )
■ English highway﹕ take umbrage
"To take umbrage at something" is to feel offended, insulted or upset by it.
e.g. MoMo took umbrage at Eason's theft of her weapon.
■ Glossary
weird (adj) 怪異的
cheek (n) 臉頰
lean (v) (使)傾斜
bow (v) 鞠躬
