Pre-Covid in social situations the Swiss always seemed to greet friends with 3 kisses. Handshakes were the norm in formal situations. Obviously both stopped during Covid (Of which I was very happy).
It took a long time but handshakes seem to be re-appearing, but I have not noticed the 3 kisses greeting returning. That said, I’m not socialising in the same circles as pre-covid. I wondered if anyone has noticed that the kisses seem to have been dropped? I personally would not be sorry to see them go
Yes, I’ve more noticed that a Dr will now go to shake your hand at the beginning and end of the appointment, and that had really disappeared for a long time.
Almost back to normal in my circle of friends, if we kissed/shock hands before we tend to do the same now. Especially the younger ones, suspect they’re playing catch-up!
Only exception is the elderly ,(yes, surprisingly some people I know are older than me), they’re still slightly more cautious perhaps?
Possibly it’s because the french-side of the country has always been more demonstrative.
Among friends who pre-COVID did the three kisses thing, that seems to have mostly resumed, albeit with occasional awkwardness. There is still sometimes a moment of hesitancy, trying to gauge the other person’s expectations.
Among new friends made post-COVID, three kisses seems not to be expected anymore. Here in the generally more reserved part of the country this actually feels more natural. Navigating the three kisses protocol was a bit of a minefield.
Hand shaking in a professional situation seems to be largely gone. You greet the butcher-baker-candlestick maker with a brief nod of the head, but don’t shake hands unless the other person has already extended theirs.
