Here are my thoughts on the key greeting differences:
1. If you are a Westerner, meeting Asian girls … instead of giving a kiss on the cheek, test the waters out to see what makes the lady comfortable.
2. Shaking hands only happen when you are meeting someone for business – DON”T DO THAT ON A DATE. Most European, France, Spain, Italy, and UK men like to greet friends by kissing on both cheeks. Dutch and Belgium will give a cheek kiss 3 times.
3. If you don’t know how to react, just smile which is the near-universal friendliness. Do not act like you never have been kissed on the cheek before. Act like nothing has happened.
4. Make sure you spray cologne/perfume, and that your face is clean and neat, not oily. About perfume: many people are allergic especially to cheap perfume.
5. In Asia, generally speaking, no physical contact on the first date when greeting each other (best to wait until things are more relaxed – a few drinks definitely helps!).
In conclusion, a hug, a gentle touch of the shoulder, a smile on a first date.
