Kissing

[Napoleon]

I've noticed gay guys making out after dinner at restaurant/cafe tables outside on the sidewalk. Occasionally you'll see a couple of guys swapping spit on the streets of Palermo as well. It's probably more pronounced outside of gay bars or near the intersection of Santa Fe & Pueyrredon.

This doesn't really both me one way or the other. And if they have stubble, well then good for them that they've found someone who digs it.

I just don't understand why in a country that legalized gay marriage about 2 or 3 years ago, people still notice guys kissing and give it a second thought.

 

[trennod]

I remember the first time I visited here 2 years ago, I was aware of the kissing but surprised that its not only reserved for friends (particularly among guys). I think it also depends on the situation and even province, for example I remember my gf saying (she is Tucumana) that its not all that common among guys unless they are close and in Tucuman (well among her friends / family) thats about right.

But here, for example at work unless its a superior, I would say about half the time the first introduction is a kiss and almost 100% thereafter.

I dont have a problem with it and after 7 months here its pretty much habit / natural now but obviously big change from Aus!

 

[puvenlee]

i'm loving it. I am Chinese.
I think this improves people's relationship.

 

[canadien]

I love kissing hot Argentinian men.
I don't know if being gay has anything to do with it ?!?!?

 

[GS_Dirtboy]

I didn't mind the kissing so much ... it was the constant grabbing of my butt that took some getting used to.

 

[Gringoboy]

There does appear to be a demarcation line, but it tends to get blurred.
I'm hoping not to write a thesis on this, but it does throw up some interesting examples.
Not so long ago I phoned for a remise so I could collect my motorbike. We'd been using this remise firm for a while and were known to them.
Remise turns up, I get in and the driver is a lady and very attractive as it happened.
Long story short; very chatty etc, complained that she had a sore neck for no apparent reason and we then arrived the destination. I paid her and she immediately offered her cheek for a kiss.
I was a little surprised, since it wasn't a social occasion but I returned the the kiss almost as an automatic reaction.
I sometimes wonder whether a refusal in an insult?

 

[Crema Americana]

I wouldn't refuse a kiss. But I always let people come to me, I don't seek it out. Especially at work... a wave and a good morning is good enough! It's especially interesting to see people who don't even like each other go through the formality of the greeting kiss.

They greet in Spain with two kisses, but perhaps it's just my family or my group of friends... we never kissed so often. And for the men it was usually a close hug and a pat of the back. Certainly not kissing regular acquaintances you see every day. Close friends is another matter, or when being introduced for the first time, or meeting up with someone after a long time of not seeing them.

When my family came to visit I couldn't help but be amused at my brother's reaction to being kissed by my husband! Of course even my Argentine husband is sometimes a little surprised by the affection shown by men here... he once had a university classmate grab his hand and kiss it to say goodbye! Somehow that was a little more "strange" than being kissed on the cheek.

 

[shoush]

I think it's great! Im from Egypt originally so I grew up with kissing tradition except that we kiss both cheeks! Love to kiss oh yeaaaaa!

 

[nicoenarg]

I have my days. Sometimes I just go along with the tradition and don't make much of it and other times I just can't stop being annoyed about the freakin' spit they just left on my cheek.

But you know, I came here knowing full well that this was part of the culture. Even though I think it is really weird, not much to complain about since its their culture. And the whole city can't change just because I don't like it.

 

[Davidglen77]

Even my cat Billy is into the kissing thing! I have never had a cat that licks, and rubs the side of his face on everything and everyone every chance he gets! When people ask what kind of cat he is we say "lamemucho"