Paralyzed by Hellos

I have a lot to write about from the past week, and this week will be busy with a lot of goings-ons, so look for posts throughout the week about snippets. This past week included a Diwali party in the "snow" (people kept saying it was snowing, but every time I went out it was what I would call rain), Halloween in London, Francis Bacon, seeing a play, and going to a random Birthday party. Coming up in the week is a visit to one of Jaime Oliver's restaurants in Oxford, perhaps staying up to the ass-crack of dawn to watch the election results (it may be a breakfast election celebration, no chance for McCain, right?!), a fancy dress party, then heading off to Egypt. I am really glad to be so busy! Keeps things lively, you know?

I took the train to London in the evening this time on Friday night, and it was far more packed than my first journey, and I got to sit across from this weird man. He was so weird in fact, that I took notes about him. Look it over and use your imagination:

In the midst of being so busy, I am introduced to a lot of people. What I find strange (and now somewhat paralyzing) is how to actually greet people in the U.K. In America, I am used to giving hugs to friends and acquaintances, professional and social. Here I am not sure how to behave. When I came to the U.K. on business in January, I gave out handshakes to people I just met at the beginning of my trip, but the end of the trip, I said good-bye with a hug. I was telling my current co-workers this, and they started cracking up, imagining me hugging the senior manager. I started to feel bad that I placed this person possibly in a really awkward situation, but back then I was just a visitor, so my strange ways needed to be tolerated. Now, because I really don't see anyone giving hugs when they meet, I just started standing awkwardly and waving, as I read in this customs and etiquette guide that Britons like their personal space. Mind you, so do I, but still I think hugs are nice amongst friends. 

THEN, you have the other side of the spectrum with Europeans. With them, it could be a handshake with a drawn in kiss on the cheek. Sometimes a handshake, leading to a hug, leading to cheek kisses. Or sometimes you think it's just going to be a hug, and then they hold your shoulders for a kiss. Then it's a matter of whether they want one or two kisses! I can't keep track, and when I get sucked into one of these greetings, I am completely even more spastic, not knowing what to do next. Also, are you supposed to actually kiss their cheeks? I have just kind of been pressing my cheek against theirs symbolically, because in NYC, when industry types did this kind of stuff, that is what I would do (along with the little spasms of not knowing it was coming). 

Hugs are simple. One action for 2-seconds, and done. Shows you are happy to see someone more so than a wave, I think. But I am glad to report that when I met up with some girls at work to go to the theatre in London, I was greeted by hugs. I think that means I am officially their friend? All these etiquette guides I have been reading make me really paranoid about making friends here because they all say its a slow process to break down the self-imposed etiquette barriers the British supposedly have. I think I should stay away from these now on, as they are just making me more awkward, and I want to just be myself, which I heard is alright sometimes. 

My thoughts on the Francis Bacon below if you are interested.