when we left, i announced that we ought to do it london-style (although, strictly speaking, it’s not london, but a european thing, generally), so i leant over and it was *muackmuack* goodbye darling!

i think she was slightly taken aback, and rather shocked.

but, oh well.

it’s strange how i can and do kiss people i meet for the first, second, umpteenth time, on the left cheek and then the right cheek, when we say hello and when we say goodbye, and it seems nothing but natural and polite and friendly.

but when it comes to fellow singaporeans there’s a paralysis, a fear of being too expressive. the hugs seem stilted, and sometimes even unwanted; kisses, even air ones, are almost non-existent except between lovers and/or very close friends; we wave and waggle our fingers instead.

i find this very disturbing. is it just me, or is it everyone else?