http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11351244/Le-hug-How-John-Kerry-made-a-Parisian-cheek-kiss-faux-pas.htmlLe hug: How John Kerry made a Paris cheek-kiss faux pas
US diplomat goes in for a "big hug" for Francois Hollande - leading to an awkward half-kiss, half-embrace - before introducing James Taylor to sing You've Got A Friend
By Our Foriegn Staff, and AFP
4:23PM GMT 16 Jan 2015
When top US diplomat John Kerry rushed towards the French president, arms open, to warmly embrace him on Friday, what followed was a cringeworthy culture clash that has befuddled many a visitor to France.
The French are just not that into hugging.
Kerry had given fair warning to his French counterparts that some American-style affection was on the cards.
"My visit to France is basically to share a big hug for Paris and express the affection of the American people for France and for our friends there who have been through a terrible time," he said on the eve of his trip.
The phrase alone sparked confusion in the media who struggled to pin down a translation for the word hug.
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