Swine flu threatens the French smooch
In France, everyone kisses. The light cheek-to-cheek kiss is a social ritual as French as haute couture and people-watching sidewalk cafes. But the tradition, known as la bise, could be the latest victim of -- what else? -- the global swine flu pandemic.
The country has recorded just three deaths from swine flu -- Maryland alone has had seven --but officials are taking no precautions. In addition to public health officials' endless pleas that everyone wash their hands, officials are saying no hand shaking, face caressing and one website even suggests folks keep a three-foot buffer zone around them and wear masks.
Some people are not happy about the clampdown on the kissing custom. So they've devised some subsitutes. Here's my favorite part of the AP story on restrictions of la bise:
As a playful alternative, some teachers in the town have set have set up "bise boxes": Pupils slip heart-shaped greetings inside before they're exchanged in class ...
Awwww!
photo courtesy of Reuters
