Is a kiss or handshake proper greeting etiquette? Experts weigh in

To kiss or not to kiss? Even PM Anthony Albanese can’t escape awkward greetings after an uncomfortable exchange with a fellow minister at the Labor Party launch.

It has happened to everyone at some point in their life - you go for a handshake, they go for a hug or a cheek kiss - you meet in the middle in an awkward exchange you hope no one saw.

But what is the right way to greet people when you first meet them? A fist bump? A handshake? A kiss on the cheek?

It’s situational, according to Sydney School of Protocol founder Julie Lamberg-Burnet, and it’s a situation the Prime Minister faced this week, in an awkward ‘air kiss’ moment with his Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek at the Labor campaign launch in Perth.

In an uncomfortable interaction after the PM entered the room, Mr Albanese can be seen extending his hand to fellow minister Tanya Plibersek, who went in for the cheek kiss.

What ensued was an awkward moment where the two appeared to jostle with one another and hold hands before Mr Albanese finally moved on to greet the next person (with a safe and seamless handshake).

Even the Prime Minister can’t dodge the awkwardness of a misinterpreted social greeting. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

“That situation looked very awkward,” Ms Lamberg-Burnet said. “I think the expectation was that it was going to be a handshake and it evolved into something different.”

“The handshake is universally what most people do to make contact and initiate contact in business and social settings,” she said. “It’s the most accepted form of greeting.”

While the PM went for a handshake, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek was eager on the air kiss. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

Etiquette expert Val Edwards agreed, saying “if you don’t know anybody very well or you’re meeting them for the first time, a handshake and looking them in the eye with a smile is the way.”

The way we greet others can vary depending on the relationship and context we’re in.

“It can become very awkward and uneasy for everyone, so I think you’ve got to be the judge of what is appropriate.”

Clearly even the Prime Minister of Australia can’t dodge a fumbled greeting.

A handshake is the universally accepted form of greeting in social and business settings. Picture: Supplied.

So how should a man greet a woman? With a firm handshake or the air kiss we see so often?

“If you don’t know each other, don’t go for the kiss,” Ms Edwards said.

And to avoid any unwanted and potentially uncomfortable advances, Ms Edwards said “it’s best for a woman to put out her hand first to shake.”

In the “minefield” of social greetings, a handshake is the “easiest way to project yourself without causing any offence,” Ms Lamberg-Burnet said.

But we shouldn’t avoid greeting someone because we’re afraid of an awkward encounter, “lacking a huge amount of confidence,” according to Ms Lamberg-Burnet.

“It should be equal (between men and women) ... where we are having graceful greetings with each other and it’s just a sign of respect and good manners.”

The bottom line is that we should read the room and greet someone accordingly.

If you know the person, then a cheek kiss may be on the cards, but for a confident and universal greeting, a firm handshake with eye contact is the way to go.

Can we make sure the politicians have got that?