Which Cheek? What Hand?

Before arriving in Brazil, I forgot to get the lowdown on the proper way to meet and greet. I'm a hugger. Some people like a firm handshake and a square look in the eye. My brother says that the Swiss like to kiss one another on first one cheek, then the other, then back to the first. To keep you from awkward moments when you come to Brazil, here's the Female-to-Female or Female-to-Male drill.

**Extend your right hand and grasp the right hand of the one you are meeting. Air kiss first the right cheek and then the left. The first time you meet someone, the best greeting is "Prazer" or "Muito Prazer." This generally translates "Pleasure to meet you," or "Very nice to meet you." When you depart from this first meeting, repeat from **.

At other times, greeting people you've already met is fairly easy if (1)you get the hand grasp/two air kiss choreography down, and (2) you can say the word "Tudo" (TO do). "Tudo" is short for "Tudo Bom" which means "Everything is good?" or "Everything is good." Of course, there's also "Tudo Bem," which means "Everything is well? or "Everything is well." So "Tudo" can be a question, "Is everything okay?" or a statement affirming that everything is okay.

When parting company with acquaintances, follow the hand grasp/two air kiss choreography along with a comment like "Bom Dia" BOn DGEE ah ("Have a good morning!") or "Boa Tarde" BO ah TAR dgeh ("Have a good afternoon!") or "Boa Noite" BO ah NOY cheh (you fill in this blank . . .)

Warning! For Male-to-Male greetings, don't even think about the air kisses. Males generally extend and grasp right hands and draw close enough for a hearty, firm mutual pat (or two) on the back with the left hands when meeting and departing. Men are so much less complicated, right?

One insight I've learned to appreciate about the air kiss routine: it's not a superficial or artificial display. Hugging someone Texas-style after walking 6 city blocks in the 2 PM summer heat in a strapless dress can be embarrassing. The huggee is left with another person's sweat all over her hands and arms. Then, what's that person to do? Stand there with wet hands and forearms and try not to have a disgusting look on her face? Wipe said hands on her own clothes? Pull out a hankie for a wipe down? You get the picture. Better for everyone to lightly touch cheeks and save the sweaty embraces for Jiu Jitsu class.