Kissing three times in Serbia

If you decide to visit Serbia, be prepared for kissing, even though it is a pandemic. We are people who love to kiss. And most importantly, we formally kiss three times. On the right cheek and then on the left cheek and then again on the right cheek. We kiss three times when we congratulate someone, when we say hello to relatives we haven't seen in a long time, when we say hello officially but closely.

Foreigners are usually confused because the first kiss is followed by the second and then they think it's over and move away, but in fact it's not over because there is a third kiss and an explanation that in our country it must be so. We shake hands during this formal kissing. Be careful not to start kissing the wrong cheek so that you don't kiss someone's mouth. It can put you in an uncomfortable situation. 😊

Kissing three times is associated with religion and the Holy Trinity. When we cross ourselves, we do that with the right hand, with three fingers, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. There is also another meaning and that is to kiss three times in the name of life, death and honor.

When we greet people in informal situations every day, we usually kiss once on the right cheek without handshake. Greetings in these situations are "zdravo" or "ćao" and it means hello. So we kiss three times or once but we never kiss twice.

Serbian people also like to hug. We find it very difficult not to hug and kiss during a pandemic. We are cordial and easily express emotions, directly, without restraint. We are also temperamental and open-minded. We will hug you even though we don't know you, and because of our hospitality you will feel at home. Of course, not all people are the same in any country and we cannot characterize them in the same general way, but most of us are cordial. There are also cold, skeptical and reserved people, but they are in the minority.

Currently in Serbia, the situation with Covid is very difficult. We are all sick and we have nowhere to go because all the medical centers are overbooked and people are waiting for days to get medical help. We are infected because we cannot live without physical contact. We love to celebrate and are constantly looking for a reason to celebrate. And at the celebrations we are very close. Music is something that accompanies my people every step of the way. We like to dance, sing and eat. And when you are in a good mood, you can easily get closer to people.

When the pandemic comes to an end, come to my country to hug and kiss and don't forget, we formally kiss three times. 😊

Thank you for your time.

Article and lead image are original and mine.

Kisses from Serbia.