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Offices in Germany are going to be kiss free? What are you talking about?

A plan to stop  inappropriate greetings in the German workplace may soon be put in place if 'Knigge', an etiquette society, get their own way.

How do they plan on doing that?

The society says that a kiss on the cheek  can cause embarrassment for some people, so they are advising employees in the German workplace to steer clear of kissing of any sort in the office.

And when did it become such a problem?

The society says that the advice is in response to a number of emails from employees in various offices in Germany, who said that greeting colleagues with a kiss on the cheek makes them feel awkward. Knigge recommends a handshake instead.

A failsafe greeting. But it all sounds a bit over dramatic wouldn't you say?

Knigge doesn't think so. Hans-Michael Klein, the chairman of Knigge, said to the BBC: 'We have to protect people who don't want to be kissed. So we are suggesting that if people don't mind it, they announce it with a little paper message placed on their desk.'

I think that's fair enough, but Knigge shouldn't get overly involved. Couldn't HR departments take control of the issue?

I think on this occasion Knigge's advice is important. And they have carried out various polls, which have showed a consensus in opinion towards this issue.

Is all of Knigge's advice so serious?

Knigge is known for its advice on similar embarrassing issues, and has previously tackled the 'how best to react to someone who has a runny nose in public' situation. So not necessarily serious... but useful!

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