Why everyone in Italy is kissing

Correspondents for CBS Saturday Morning recently explored Italy's distinctive kissing culture, examining why Italians greet each other with kisses on the cheeks as a common social practice across the country. The segment, which aired on the popular American news program, delved into the rich traditions behind this physical expression of affection that distinguishes Italian social customs from many other Western nations. The report highlighted how this kissing tradition extends beyond greetings to include celebrations, reunions, and farewells, becoming an integral part of Italian social fabric that reflects the culture's deep appreciation for physical connection and emotional expressiveness. Viewers learned that the exact number of kisses and the sequence can differ between northern and southern Italy, with northern regions often opting for a single kiss while southern Italy typically embraces the double-kiss tradition, demonstrating how even within a country, cultural practices can vary significantly.