Greeting Etiquette ?

Apologies if this is a duplicate but searches with keywords did not yield any result, so am starting this new thread.

Do any of you know what is the accepted greeting etiquette when you are meeting your play partner the first time? This is someone who you have been chatting to and exchanging emails with over a period of time and decide to meet for a coffee date or even a play date. How would you greet the other person ? Some options are (and you could potentially choose more than one):

1. Handshake

2. A hug with just the shoulders and chest touching the other person

3. A full body hug

4. A light peck on the cheek

5. Kiss on the lips !?

6. Anything else ?

Also, what would influence which option you choose ? Length of "acquaintance" ? Gender ? Any other factor ?

Would love to get an insight of what the community thinks

I wouldn't think it's any different than any other social first meeting unless you're in character. Then it's no different than seeing your doctor, usually a handshake.

DEFINITELY a handshake--and a good one, not a flimsy dead fish one.

MAYBE, depending on the body language of the other person as you approach one another, a European style air kiss on the cheek might be acceptable if you had already developed an online relationship and were thrilled to finally meet.

All my first meetings were, unless we REALLY hit it off during online chats, no contact at first. Simple hellos and then face to face conversation. This was never discussed, it is just how it happens. Still in the getting to know you stage and no reason to rush any physical contact

After that we might hug when we say goodbye if we've clicked and set up an actual date to play

I don't shake my real doctor's hand, nor do I hug him. Same will go for a play doc during a scene - - hugs after are a-ok

I don't shake my real doctor's hand, nor do I hug him. Same will go for a play doc during a scene - - hugs after are a-ok

The truth is, many docs are taught (though they may not do it) to shake their patient's hand when they see each other because it's just plain friendly and breaks the touching barrier before they have their hand up one of your orifices.

Why don't you shake your real doctor's hand? It's a perfectly acceptable greeting. When I was in hospital practice and was meeting a patient I was going to be treating (and they were awake), I almost always offered a handshake as I introduced myself and when I have been with my husband at his exam, he shakes his doc's hand.

Of course, when I see my OB-GYN or my periodontist who I have known since school, I give them a hug.

Exchanging greetings, such as Hello

What an interesting question, Physical68. With most of the play Docs that I have met for live play exams, by the time that we finally meet in person, I feel I know them as a friend. As such, I do exchange a hug with them upon greeting them. I will ask questions about their day and be concerned about their health and well-being. We have a chat before we get down to the business of play. Sometimes, it all depends upon the amount of time that we have for a play exam.

I am a warm, friendly and outgoing person in real life and as such, I am a hugger by nature.

Lady Teddy, who thinks that nothing beats a real warm hug between friends

Like @Lady Teddy, I have spent alot of time getting to know my play patients before meeting them. And because I like my exams to be as real as possible, I offer a handshake upon greeting them. I do usually hug them afterwards, because after all, it was supposed to be a fun experience for both of us.