You might think saying hello and goodbye is pretty basic French, but there are lots of social nuances to greeting people and bidding them farewell that newcomers often get wrong, as French ...

In fact the French health ministry has even made a series of short adverts that remind people that they should not be using the kiss greeting. [ #BonEteBonsReflexes ] Le virus circule toujours.

The greeting technique can at times be hard to master, even for French people. But for foreigners, la bise can be seen as extremely bizarre and lead to awkward social situations.

The country's health minister, Olivier Véran, warned French people over the weekend to stop participating in the traditional "bise" greeting of kissing someone on both cheeks.

"Up until the 17th century, French people kissed each other on the mouth when greeting," says Rouvillois. "In all milieus. Even at court, the queen was kissed by her courtiers.

French Mayor Aude Picard-Wolff has made waves for refusing to greet colleagues with a traditional kiss on each cheek, sending an email in December to the 73 village councillors saying: “From now ...