Simon T Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 The other day I had a cringe making experience that still makes me wince to think about it. I had to deliver a one day training course at work to 20 random people. The day went well and everyone seemed to find it interesting and inforrmative etc etc However we ended the day with the presentation of certificates to every delegate for having complete the course. I should point out at this stage that all the delegates were women, as was my co trainer and I was the only bloke in the room. So, the presentation was pretty straight foreward, I would call out the delegates name one by one, everyone would clap and I would hand over the certificate. Pretty simple right? I read out the first name, and the woman walked up to the front looking a bit nervous. Without thinking about it I handed over the certificate and gave her a peck on the cheek. She looked frankly startled and incredibly uncomfortable! So I now had a horrible dilemma, do i continue with the kissing or resort to the more conservatibe handshake for the remaining 19 delegates. But if i switched to a handshake, it might look weird that i had randomly kissed this first woman? I ploughed on and kissed 19 further embarrassed and and frankly hostile women! Some of them pointedly strteched out a hand as soon as their name was read out but I panicked and just pulled them in towards me. It was a weird and awkward end to the day and left me wondering when did this simple social greeting become so blooming complicated? A female friend of mine told me that she saw her postman out in a bar the other day (bear in mind this is a man she has spoken to about twice in her life for approx 10 seconds) and he came over and gave her a kiss on the cheek! Is it really a mindfield or am I worrying about nothing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donotremove Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Maybe they just find you utterly repulsive or incredibly creepy. Don't worry about it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeadingNorth Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Personally I'd never kiss a woman on the cheek who wasn't a personal friend, but I know plenty of people who normally do, so I'm not going to say that your behaviour was ridiculous. Perhaps, in hindsight, what you should have done when you saw how uncomfortable the first woman was, was to say something like "Oh I'm sorry, I was brought up with that as a normal greeting when I deal with women but if that bothers or upsets anyone, I won't do it." It's easy for me to make that comment now, with hindsight in the cold light of day. I'm not so sure it would have occurred to me at the time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pottedplant Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Oh Simon I so feel for you .........but your post really did make me laugh. So cringworthy. On reflection what would you do next time?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 ...I ploughed on and kissed 19 further embarrassed and and frankly hostile women! Some of them pointedly strteched out a hand as soon as their name was read out but I panicked and just pulled them in towards me. ... Great image. Rule of thumb: no kissing in a professional context. (Disclaimer: professions may differ in their acceptable level of touchy-feeliness). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon T Posted February 12, 2012 Author Share Posted February 12, 2012 Maybe they just find you utterly repulsive or incredibly creepy. Don't worry about it... Now that, is a very good point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon T Posted February 12, 2012 Author Share Posted February 12, 2012 Oh Simon I so feel for you .........but your post really did make me laugh. So cringworthy. On reflection what would you do next time?? On reflection I definitely should have made a joke of it but next time it will be a firm handshake with possibly a little pat on the shoulder but only a very light pat mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc55 Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 On reflection I definitely should have made a joke of it but next time it will be a firm handshake with possibly a little pat on the shoulder but only a very light pat mind personally I'd stick with the handshake ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubydazzler Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 On reflection I definitely should have made a joke of it but next time it will be a firm handshake with possibly a little pat on the shoulder but only a very light pat mind No, no patting! In a professional context, as Hecate says, the maximum physical contact should be a handshake! What were you thinking? You were presenting at the Baftas? Sorry for your embarrassment, but you brought it on yourself and it has made me cackle. The stuff of your nightmares for years to come. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medusa Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 You think you're struggling with personal contact- try being someone who CAN'T shake right hands with people and with the right hand being the one that is always offered. The only choice I have is either saying 'sorry, I can't shake hands' or offering the left hand, which makes for a very awkward handshake indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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